Size and location of thyroid gland in the fetal period

Abstract

Purpose: The present study's purpose was to examine the size and location of the thyroid gland using anatomic dissection methods on fetal cadavers.

Methods: This study was performed on 200 spontaneously aborted human fetuses (100 males and 100 females) aged between 9 and 40 weeks of gestation. Fetuses without any external and internal pathology or anomaly were included in this study. Fetuses were divided into four groups based on gestational ages as follows: first group 9-12 weeks (first trimester), second group 13-25 weeks (second trimester), third group 26-37 weeks (third trimester) and fourth group 38-40 weeks (full term). The fetuses were also grouped into monthly cohorts as follows: 9-12 weeks, 3rd month; 13-16 weeks, 4th month; 17-20 weeks, 5th month; 21-24 weeks, 6th month; 25-28 weeks, 7th month; 29-32 weeks, 8th month; 33-36 weeks, 9th month; and 37-40 weeks, 10th month. The anterior necks of fetuses were dissected and the thyroid glands exposed. Vertebral and laryngeal levels and the dimensions (width, length, thickness and weight) of the fetal thyroid glands were determined by anatomical dissection methods. The dimensions and ratios of the fetal thyroid gland (weight/fetal body weight) were evaluated.

Results: The mean values and standard deviations of all parameters by gestational weeks, months, and trimesters were calculated. It was found that all parameters increased with gestational age. No significant differences were observed between genders in all parameters (P > 0.05). There were no significant differences between the right and the left sides for parameters of the thyroid glands. The levels of the superior poles of the thyroid lobes were located at the cervical (C) C1-C3 vertebral bodies. The levels of the inferior poles of the thyroid lobes were located at C4-C5 vertebral bodies. The levels of the superior poles of thyroid lobes were located between the upper ½ and lower ½ of the thyroid cartilage or cricoid cartilage. The levels of the inferior poles of the thyroid lobes were located between the second and sixth tracheal rings. The distance between the superior poles of the thyroid gland and the hyoid bone increased throughout the fetal period. The dimensions of fetal thyroid glands increased with gestational age. The ratio between thyroid gland weights and fetal body weights was unchanged during the fetal period.

Conclusions: We believe that the results obtained from this study will be useful in monitoring thyroid glands in the intrauterine period as well as recognizing early diagnosis and treatment of thyroid anomalies. It will also contribute to future studies in obstetrics, perinatology, and fetopathology.