Investigation of basis cranii interna morphology in anencephalic and normal fetuses

This work; It was planned to examine the morphology of the basis cranii interna in anencephalic and normal fetuses. In the study; the cranial base of a total of 21 fetuses, 14 normal and 7 anencephalic, with intrauterine ages between 20.5 and 39.2 weeks, in 10% formaldehyde solution in the laboratory of the Department of Anatomy, were examined. In the study, morphometric measurements were made for the structures in the basis cranii interna. The scalp and calvarium were removed to expose the basis cranii interna, the cerebrum was removed, the tentorium cerebelli and cerebellum were removed. The dura mater surrounding the basis cranii was carefully removed and made ready for measurement. Images of the resulting basis cranii interna were taken with a digital camera. Fossa cranii anterior, media and posterior areas, fossa cranii angles, fossa cranii lengths, midline distances of foramen rotundum, foramen ovale and foramen jugulare, vertical and transverse length and area of foramen magnum were measured using Image-J program. Fetuses were grouped according to gender and presence of neural tube defects. The data obtained as a result of the measurement were compared between the groups. To know basis cranii interna morphometry; It is important in interpreting the normal developmental process, identifying anomalies in the prenatal period and detecting possible malformations, and surgical interventions for intracranial pathologies and congenital defects. When the findings we obtained were examined, it was seen that the structures in the basis cranii interna may differ according to gender and the presence of neural tubes. Knowing these differences will contribute to the literature.