Authors : Shuhbhangi B. Ghule, Bhushan Vitore, Amrut A. Mahajan
DOI : 10.18231/2394-2126.2018.0096
Volume : 5
Issue : 3
Year : 0
Page No : 412-415
Introduction: Knowledge of nutrient foramina is important in surgical procedures. Objective of present study is to know the number, location and direction of nutrient foramina in diaphysis of humerus and to test the significant difference of total length and foraminal index on right and left side separately.
Materials and Methods: Total 100 dried humerii of unknown sex (52 of right and 48 of left side) were taken for present study. The identification of nutrient foramen was confirmed with the help of magnifying lens and metallic wire. The total length of humerus and distance of nutrient foramen from proximal end of humerus was measured by sliding caliper and osteometric board. Foraminal index was also calculated.
Results: All the examined bones showed single diaphyseal nutrient foramen. Majority of foramina (81%) were present on middle 1/3 of anteromedial surface of shaft of humerus. The direction of these foramina was similarly found in all bones i.e. towards the elbow joint. There were no significant differences between right and left side for total length and foraminal index.
Conclusion: An accurate knowledge of the location of nutrient foramina is important in surgical procedures like reduction of fracture, bone grafting and microsurgical vascularized bone transplantation.
Keywords: Humerus, Nutrient foramina, Number, Location, Direction, Foraminal index.