Anatomic Variability of the Morphometric Parameters of the Fourth Ventricle of the Brain

Abstract

Objectives The defining of the normal parameters of spacious relations and symmetry of the ventricular system of the brain depending on the gender and age is currently one of the topical research problems of clinical anatomy. The present research aims to identify the correlation between the morphometric parameters of the fourth ventricle of the brain and the shape of the skull in middle aged people. Design This is a prospective cohort study. Setting This study was set at the Trinity School of Medicine. Participants A total of 118 normal computed tomography scans of the head of people aged from 21 to 86 years (mean age--48.6 years ± 17.57) were selected for the study. Main Outcome Measures The anteroposterior, transverse diameters, and height of the fourth ventricle were measured and compared in dolichocranial, mesocranial, and brachycranial individuals. Results The study has shown the presence of a statistically significant difference between morphometric parameters of the fourth ventricle of the brain in dolichocranial, mesocranial, and brachycranial individuals. Conclusion The morphometric parameters of the fourth ventricle of the brain, such as height, anteroposterior, and transverse diameters, depend on the individual anatomic variability of the skull shape and gender.