AbstractIn a morphometric study of normal human foetuses the size and shape of foetal spinal canal was evaluated to determine the reference values for the cervical part of vertebral canal. 30 human foetuses were dissected which were divided in five different groups I to V with gestational ages of less than 17, 17-20, 21-25, 26-30 and more than 30 weeks respectively. The foetuses were dissected and vertebral canal was exposed in coronal plane. Length of cervical part of vertebral canal and transverse diameters at different vertebral levels were recorded by the help of vernier caliper. The widest part of cervical vertebral canal was observed in the upper segment in first three groups, middle in group IV and in the lower part in foetuses of group V. Aforementioned parameters showed a steady but variable rate of growth with increasing gestational age.
Keywords: Cervical; Foetus; Morphometry; Vertebral canal.