E. Eriksen et al., MIDSAGITTAL DIMENSIONS OF THE PRENATAL HUMAN CRANIUM, Journal of craniofacial genetics and developmental biology, 15(1), 1995, pp. 44-50
The purpose of the present study was to analyze the linear dimensions
of the cranial base and the anterior facial heights in the median plan
e of human fetal crania during the second trimester. The distances mea
sured were related to gestational age (GA), crown-rump length (CRL) an
d maturation stages of the cranial base (MSS). The material comprised
midsagittal tissue blocks of the crania from 52 normal human fetuses a
ged 13 to 22 weeks GA with CRL from 78 to 230 mm and cranial base matu
ration from MSS 3 to MSS 7. The measurements of the cranial and facial
dimensions were performed on radiographs of these tissue blocks. The
study confirmed previous observations regarding the dimensional increa
se in the linear dimensions of the cranial base and the upper facial h
eight in the second trimester. The assessment of absolute changes was
further supplemented by an analysis of the percentage changes. This an
alysis showed that the percentage changes from MSS 3 to MSS 7 of the l
inear dimensions of the cranial base and the upper facial heights were
similar. On the other hand, the percentage increase in the lower ante
rior facial height during the second trimester was found to be much la
rger than that of the cranial base and the upper anterior facial heigh
t. It is suggested that this is related to the marked increase of the
tooth germs during the period and the concurrent growth of the alveola
r processes. Standards for normal prenatal cranial dimensions in relat
ion to stages of maturation in the midsagittal cranial base were provi
ded. These data may be of value for use in prenatal diagnostics.