MORPHOGENESIS: MAPPING THE SHAPE AND ALIGNMENT OF HUMAN FOETAL OVARIES

Abstract

Aim: To determine the morphological features such as shape and orientation of human foetal ovaries during development Materials and methods: The study comprises of 40 human foetuses (80 ovaries) aged between 12 to 32 weeks without any gross abnormalities. Result: The most common shape observed across the gestation was almond shape (58.75%) and the least observed was the S-Shaped (11.25%). The oblique orientation was the most common presentation followed by the vertical (47.50%) and the least observed as horizontal (11.25%) Conclusion: Ovarian morphology and orientation varied throughout development, occasionally demonstrating a mixed presentation. Almond shape was most common shape found in all trimester of pregnancy. These findings contribute foundational insights into human fetal anatomical development and the mechanical shifts the ovaries undergo across gestation.