Morphological Variations of Nutrient Foramina in Lower Limb Long

Abstract Background and Aim Nutrient foramina form important landmarks on human bones as they form portal of entry for nutrient artery. Nutrient artery is an important source of blood supply for a growing bone. Different parameters of nutrient foramina are important in various procedures such as vascularized bone grafting, tumor resections, fracture repair, and other surgical procedures in orthopedics. The objective of the present study was to report the number, position, direction, size, and foraminal index of nutrient foramen in the femur, tibia, and fibula. Materials and Methods The present study analyzed the location, direction, size, and the number of nutrient foramina in the diaphysis of 180 long bones of the lower limbs of adults: 60 femurs, 60 tibiae, and 60 fibulae. Result The location of the nutrient foramina is predominant on the posterior aspect of the lower limb long bones. Single nutrient foramen found in the tibia (100%), femur (48.3%), and fibula (60%) may represent as a single source of blood supply. The majority of the femur (50%) and few fibulae (5%) had a double nutrient foramen. The mean foraminal index for the lower limb bones was 40.5% for the left and 38.2% for the right side of the femur, 31.69% for the left and 32.3% for the right side of the tibia, and 32.7% for the left and 31.7% for the right side of the fibula. Conclusion The present study provides information on the number, size, position, and direction of nutrient foramina of the femur, tibia, and fibula bones.

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Morphological and topographical anatomy of nutrient foramina in the lower limb long bones and its clinical importance

Australasian Medical Journal ◽

10.4066/amj.2011.725 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 4 (10) ◽

pp. 530-537 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Prashanth KU

Keyword(s):

Lower Limb ◽

Clinical Importance ◽

Long Bones ◽

Nutrient Foramina ◽

Topographical Anatomy

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Morphological Variations of Nutrient Foramina in Upper Limb Long Bones

International Journal of Medical and Dental Sciences ◽

10.19056/ijmdsjssmes/2013/v2i2/86777 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 2 (2) ◽

pp. 177

Author(s):

M. Sharma ◽

R. Prashar ◽

T. Sharma ◽

A. Wadhwa

Keyword(s):

Upper Limb ◽

Growth Period ◽

Long Bone ◽

Long Bones ◽

Active Growth ◽

Morphological Variations ◽

Nutrient Foramen ◽

Nutrient Artery ◽

Nutrient Foramina ◽

Active Growth Period

The nutrient artery is the principal source of blood supply to a long bone and is particularly important during its active growth period in the embryo and foetus as well as during the early phase of ossification. The aim of the present study was to study the topographic anatomy and morphology of the nutrient foramina in human adult upper limb long bones. The study was performed on 40 upper limb long bones which include 40 humerii, 40 radii, 40 ulnae. The bones were obtained from department of anatomy Punjab institute of medical sciences, Jalandhar. The variations were found in number and location of nutrient foramen in different upper limb bones. In humerus double and triple foramina were found. In radius and ulna double foramina were observed at the maximum. Absence of nutrient foramen was observed in radius. The knowledge about these foramina is useful in surgical procedures.

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