Morphometric Study of the Female Pelvic and Lower Abdominal Retroperitoneum in Cadavers

This study aims to provide a systematic anatomical and morphometric description of the female pelvic and lower abdominal retroperitoneum using cadaveric dissection, with direct application to gynecologic surgery. Standardized dissections will be performed in adult female cadavers obtained from a body donation program. Key anatomical structures, including the ureter, iliac vessels, aorta, inferior vena cava, hypogastric plexuses, and lymphatic territories, will be identified and measured. Spatial relationships, distances, and anatomical variations will be recorded using direct measurements and standardized photographic documentation. The study will quantify anatomical variability and asymmetry between right and left hemipelves, focusing on ureteral, vascular, and neural structures. The results are expected to improve surgical planning, particularly in nerve-sparing techniques and pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy, and to support the development of an applied anatomical atlas for educational and clinical use.

This is an observational, descriptive, and morphometric cadaveric study designed to analyze the anatomy of the female pelvic and lower abdominal retroperitoneum with direct application to gynecologic surgery. The study will be conducted in adult female cadavers obtained from an institutional body donation program. Approximately 20 cadavers are expected to be included, depending on availability. Each hemipelvis will be considered an independent unit of analysis for side-to-side comparison. Standardized anatomical dissections will be performed following a predefined protocol. The retroperitoneum will be systematically exposed to identify and analyze key structures, including the ureter, iliac vessels and their branches, abdominal aorta, inferior vena cava, hypogastric plexuses, pelvic splanchnic nerves, and lymphatic territories. Morphometric measurements will be obtained using millimetric instruments and predefined anatomical reference points to ensure reproducibility. Variables will include distances between anatomical structures, vessel diameters, nerve relationships, and spatial organization of pelvic surgical spaces. All measurements will be performed at least twice, and standardized photographic documentation will be obtained. Primary outcomes include quantitative morphometric parameters and spatial relationships between key anatomical structures, as well as the frequency of anatomical variations. Secondary outcomes include characterization of ureteral variants, iliac branching patterns, presence and morphology of corona mortis, organization of the pelvic autonomic nervous system, and assessment of right-left anatomical asymmetry. Statistical analysis will be descriptive, including measures of central tendency and dispersion for continuous variables, and frequency distributions for categorical variables. Comparative analyses between hemipelves will be performed using paired statistical tests. This study does not involve living human participants, clinical interventions, or identifiable personal data. All procedures will be conducted in accordance with institutional and ethical standards for the use of donated human bodies for research and education. The expected outcome is the development of a clinically oriented anatomical dataset and an illustrated anatomical atlas to support surgical training, improve understanding of pelvic anatomy, and optimize surgical approaches in gynecologic oncology.

Inclusion Criteria: * Female cadavers from an institutional body donation program * Age ≥ 18 years at time of death * Adequate preservation of pelvic and abdominal retroperitoneal structures * Anatomical integrity allowing identification of ureter, iliac vessels, hypogastric plexuses, aorta, and vena cava * Availability of both hemipelves for comparative analysis * Authorization for research use according to institutional body donation regulations Exclusion Criteria: * Male cadavers * Prior major pelvic or abdominal surgery significantly altering retroperitoneal anatomy (e.g., hysterectomy, lymphadenectomy, vascular surgery) * History of pelvic or abdominal radiotherapy * Advanced pelvic or abdominal malignancy with retroperitoneal involvement * Severe trauma affecting pelvic or abdominal anatomy * Poor preservation or significant tissue degradation * Absence of one or both hemipelves * Advanced pregnancy at time of death