A COMPARATIVE MORPHOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF DIFFERENT GROUPS – “OPTIMAL” AND “NON-OPTIMAL” DICHOTOMIES IN SPLENIC ARTERIAL VASCULATURE OF HUMANS

Abstract

Background. Detailed knowledge of the splenic arterial vasculature is essential for the minimally invasive surgery. A promising area of research in this regard is the quantitative analysis of the vasculatures of parenchymatous organs as a fractal or quasi-fractal system." Purpose. to determine the morphometric features in different groups of dichotomies (‘optimal’/’non-optimal’) of the splenic arterial vasculature in individuals of different sex and age. Materials and methods. The morphometric features of ‘optimal’ and ‘non-optimal’ dichotomies (according to C.D. Murray’s and H.B.M Ulings’ criteria) were studies using corrosion casts of splenic arterial vasculature (67 individuals, 1st and 2nd adulthood period, both sexes). Results. The ‘optimal’ dichotomies equaled 1% according to C.D. Murray’s criteria and 9% by H.B.M. Ulings criteria out of total number of dichotomies investigated in splenic arterial vasculature corrosion casts. The relative amount of ‘optimal’ dichotomies in slightly higher in men than in female. Whereas relative number of ‘optimal’ dichotomies is lower in 1st adulthood period that in 2nd adulthood. ‘Optimal’ dichotomies are mainly located at the proximal generation and division level of splenic arterial vasculature. They are bigger in size, less symmetrical in comprising with ‘non-optimal’ ones. Conclusion. Morphometric parameters vary significantly in different sex and age groups which should be considered for numerical modelling of splenic arterial vasculature.

Keywords

• spleen
• arterial vasculature
• dichotomies
• roux’s optimality principle