MORPHOMETRY OF DEVELOPING HUMAN FETAL URETER

Introduction: The ureters are paired bilateral, slender tubular structures connecting the kidneys to the urinary bladder. Developmentally ureter is derived from the ureteric bud which is an outgrowth from mesonephric duct that forms ureter after elongating and penetrating the metanephric blastema. Objectives: To study gross morphometric features fetal ureter in different gestational age groups and their correlation. Methods: Study was conducted in Anatomy department, in collaboration with Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Pathology departments. Samples obtained were all dead fetuses without any gross congenital malformation ranging between 12 weeks to 36 weeks of gestation. Morphometric parameters were measured and histogenesis at different gestational ages was observed. Data was presented in the form of mean and standard deviation. Quantitative variables were estimated using measures of central tendency, and data was arranged in the form of gures and tables. Pearson's correlation coefcient was calculated between fetal general morphometric parameters, fetal ureteric morphometric parameters, and signicant differences were calculated using the ANOVA test. Results: The study analyzed the morphometry of fetal ureter during intrauterine life. There was strong positive correlation between General Morphometric parameters of fetus, fetal ureter. Conclusion: With advancing gestation age, fetal ureter morphometric parameters increase, which can be used to assess fetal growth and diagnose various pathological conditions. Understanding human fetal ureter morphometry may be of signicant assistance in perinatology and Radiology.