We analyzed the development of the area of the penis and
erectile structures (corpora cavernosa and corpus spongiosum) and the thickness
of the tunica albuginea during the fetal period (13 to 36 weeks after
conception) in humans to establish normative patterns of growth.
We
studied 56 male human fetuses at 13 to 36 weeks after conception. We used
histochemical and morphometric techniques to analyze the parameters of total
penile area, area of corpora cavernosa, area of corpus spongiosum, and
thickness of tunica albuginea in the dorsal and ventral regions using ImageJ
software (National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland).
Between
13 and 36 weeks after conception the area of the penis varies from 0.95 to
24.25 mm2. The area of the corpora cavernosa varies from 0.28 to 9.12 mm2, and
the area of the corpus spongiosum varies from 0.14 to 3.99 mm2. The thickness
of the tunica albuginea varies from 0.029 to 0.296 mm in the dorsal region and
from 0.014 to 0.113 mm in the ventral region of the corpora cavernosa.
We
found a strong correlation between the total penile area, corpora cavernosa and
corpus spongiosum with fetal age (weeks following conception). The growth rate
was more intense during the second trimester (13 to 24 weeks of gestation)
compared to the third trimester (25 to 36 weeks). Tunica albuginea thickness
also was strongly correlated with fetal age and this structure was thicker in the
dorsal vs ventral region.
- 1Urogenital Research Unit, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
No comments:
Post a Comment