Morphometry of human musculus gluteus maximus in foetal period

Abstract

Background. Magnus gluteal muscle (musculus gluteus maximus) belongs to the group of lower limb girdle muscles. It is one of the biggest muscles in human organism and is located mostly superficially in gluteal region. Literature provides discussion concerning its role in movement such as walking, running and climbing as well as plastic surgery in reconstructive operations of trochanter. Magnus gluteal muscle plays an important role in orthopaedic surgery. Objectives. The goal of the study was to analyse the human magnus gluteal muscle in the foetal period. Material and Methods. The analysis was carried out on 154 muscles originating from human foetuses (including 30 females - 39%) belonging to the collection of Normal Anatomy Dept. of Wroclaw Medical University. The body length was assessed with the use of vertex-tuberal (v-tub) length and it was included in the range 107-205 mm, which corresponds with the period 17-30 weeks of foetal life. The survey incorporated the following methods: anthropological, preparational and image acquisition which was acquired with the use of high-resolution digital camera. In order to take computer measurements, the following systems were exploited: Image J and Scion for Windows. Statistical analysis was carried out with the use of STATISTICA package v. 9 (t-Student test). Results. The magnus gluteal muscle was analysed in respect to sexual dimorphism and symmetry. On the basis of elicited parameters, the model of muscle increase in foetal period was defined. The following measurements were taken: v-tub, vertex-plantare (v-pl), body mass, muscle particular sides lengths and distance between corresponding measurement points. In every muscle, the lengths of four sections forming the circumference as well as the area were measured. Conclusions. No difference was observed in foetal magnus gluteal muscle sexual dimorphism or symmetry (p > 0.05). The correlation diagram was used to calculate the muscle weekly increase in foetal period. The results suggest that lesions and pathologies in the region of magnus gluteal muscle are acquired in post foetal period. © Copyright by Wroclaw Medical University.