Morphometric assessment of the external anatomy of fourth ventricle & dorsal brainstem in South Indian population

Abstract

Background: Morphometric analysis of ventricular system is helpful in the diagnosis and classification of hydrocephalus and in the assessment and follow-up of enlargement of ventricular system during therapy (ventricular shunts). Present study was aimed to study morphometric assessment of the external anatomy of fourth ventricle & dorsal brainstem. Material and Methods: Present study was descriptive, observational study, conducted in apparently normal brain specimens from human cadavers with known age and sex. The brainstem was separated and the measurements of fourth ventricle & cadaver brainstem were made using millimeter rulers. Results: In present study among 60 fresh adult human cadavers, height & width of fourth ventricle was comparable among male & females, difference was not significant statistically. Various brainstem measurements were comparable among male & females, difference was not significant statistically. Conclusion: Baseline anatomical baseline data helps in interpreting pathological changes, planning surgery, and determining presence and progress of some neurological diseases.