Bagnall K M, Harris P F, Jones P R
J Anat. 1979 Jun;128(Pt 4):777-87.
Regression equations are presented which describe the growth in length of the various regions of the vertebral column in the human fetus. From 8 weeks on the thoracic is always the longest region and the sacral the shortest, while the lumbar region is longer than the cervical. From the regression equations predictions of fetal vertebral length can be made from fetal age: this should be useful in obstetric practice when diagnostic ultrasound techniques are being employed for the diagnosis of growth disorders and skeletal abnormalities. A different developmental pattern emerges when average 'vertebral units' for each region are compared. The lumbar vertebrae are always the largest with the thoracic, cervical and sacral vertebrae being progressively smaller.
文中给出了回归方程，该方程描述了人类胎儿脊柱各区域长度的增长情况。从孕8周起，胸椎区域始终是最长的，骶椎区域最短，而腰椎区域比颈椎区域长。根据回归方程，可以从胎儿年龄预测胎儿脊柱长度：在产科实践中，当使用诊断超声技术诊断生长障碍和骨骼异常时，这应该会很有用。当比较每个区域的平均“椎体单位”时，会出现不同的发育模式。腰椎椎体始终是最大的，胸椎、颈椎和骶椎椎体则逐渐变小。
