Allometry and morphometry of the inguinal region in human fetuses

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the growth rate of the inguinal region in Brazilian fetuses, irrespective of the knowledge of ethnic genetic background. We studied 28 human fetuses ranging from 19 to 30 weeks of gestation. Gestational age (GA), crown-rump length (CRL), and body mass (BM) were measured. Our results indicate that there was not a significant difference between genders for the inguinal ligament length and inguinal region area (IA). With this study, we can conclude that, in the second and third trimester of gestation, the IA has a strong correlation with the GA and CRL. There is sexual dimorphism only in the second trimester of gestation when we analyzed the growth rates in the IA versus the CRL and GA. However, a relationship between these findings and the development of an inguinal hernia cannot be established, and further studies are necessary.