Morphometric characteristics of the brainstem of middle-aged people.

Abstract

Background. The literature data regarding the shape, position and size of the brainstem in middle-aged people is still controversial. Objective. To establish a range of individual anatomical variability of the shape, size and position of the brain stem in middle-aged people. Methods. The study was performed on 100 wet brain preparations. Anthropometry was performed by determining the brain (cranial) index for the graduation of human corpses by its value; morphometry of all parts of the brainstem with preparation of neurovascular structures; determining a distance between the brain stem and surrounding formations of the posterior fossa. The findings were confirmed by the main indicators of variation statistics. Results. The study has revealed that middle-aged people are characterized by a certain range of individual anatomical variability of the brain stem structures and parts, including difference in their length and width depending on the extreme shapes and head sizes. In brachycephals (roundheads) it was observed an increase of the cross parameters (latitude) of brain stem and all its parts, on the contrary, dolichocephals (long-headed) - had an increase of the longitudinal parameters of the studied objects. Conclusion. The study provides a new data on the morphometry of the vital structure of the brain - the brain stem, located in the cavity of the posterior cranial fossa between the snaring of the cerebellum (tentorium cerebelli) and the internal base of the skull.

Keywords

• стовбур мозку
• індивідуальна анатомічна мінливість