The influence of gender on the morphometric variability of the medulla oblongata and pons in adults, taking into account the type of skull base according to MRI data

Background. The active introduction of magnetic resonance imaging into daily practice for neuroanatomical studies makes it possible to determine a high level of anatomical detail of the structures of the rhombencephalon, as well as to study the influence of the basilar angle on the variability of the neuromorphology of the medulla oblongata and pons for the correct interpretation of their internal space-occupying lesions. Objective. The purpose of the study is to determine the sexual morphometric variability of the medulla oblongata and pons in adults, taking into account the type of skull base according to magnetic resonance imaging. Material and methods. The research material was 50 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the heads of men and women of periods I and II of middle age from 22 to 60 years, with a skull base angle of 125.0° to 143.0° (mediobasilar type). The study was carried out on a 1.5T superconducting tomograph PhilipsIngenia 1.5T. Using computer craniometry, the height and length of the medulla oblongata and pons were determined; latitude of the pons and medulla oblongata at the levels: upper, middle and lower thirds. Results. It was found that in men the width of the bridge is greater by 8.5 mm in length and by 6.7 mm in height. In women, the width of the bridge prevails over its length and height by 7.8 mm and 7.3 mm. The length of the medulla oblongata in men prevails by 0.5 mm, and its height by 0.3 mm compared to women. The average values of medulla oblongata latitudes in men and women gradually increase from the lower third to the upper third and have no gender differences. Thus, a comparative analysis of the parameters of the rhombencephalon structures in individuals with a mediobasilar type of skull showed a significant gender influence on the variability of the linear dimensions of the pons and the length of the medulla oblongata, with a predominance of those in men. The height and width of the medulla oblongata do not depend on gender Conclusion. The information obtained about gender differences in the derivatives of the rhombencephalon in the mediobasilar type of skull can be used by neurosurgeons as an anatomical basis for planning strategies for interventions on brain structures, as well as replenish the neuroanatomical database.