Volumetric Growth of the Liver in the Human Fetus: An Anatomical, Hydrostatic, and Statistical Study

Table 3

Liver volumes measured directly by a hydrostatic method and calculated indirectly through a series of indirect, previously achieved measurements, according to the following formula: liver volume = 0.55 × length × transverse diameter × sagittal diameter.

Liver volume [cm^3]
Fetal age [weeks]		Measured directly by a hydrostatic method based on Archimedes’ patent			Calculated indirectly according to the following formula: liver volume = 0.55 × length × transverse diameter × sagittal diameter
		Median	Minimum	Maximum	Median	Minimum	Maximum
18–21	24	6.57^(1)	2.23	13.24	12.41^(a)	4.02	28.51
22–25	27	14.36^(2)	6.58	26.30	28.21^(b)	16.17	49.60
26–30	18	20.77^(3)	14.95	32.10	49.69^(c)	31.68	80.96

Note: liver volumes measured directly differ significantly in columns as follows: for (1) versus (2), ; for (1) versus (3), ; and for (2) versus (3), .
Liver volumes calculated indirectly differ significantly in columns as follows: for (a) versus (b), ; for (a) versus (c), ; and for (b) versus (c), .
Liver volumes measured directly and calculated indirectly differ significantly in rows: for (1) versus (a), (2) versus (b), and (3) versus (c), .