An anatomical study of vascular foramina of radius and its clinical insinuation

Abstract

Introduction: Different segments of radius present numerous vascular foramina (VF). The objective of the study was to quantify VF and note their size and direction. Methodology: One hundred dry human radii bones in our anatomy department were divided into various segments for studying VF. The number and direction of VF were evaluated in upper end (UE), shaft, and lower end (LE) separately. VF were categorized into three groups based on size, namely small (which admitted 25-gauge needle): 0.5–0.7 mm, medium (22-gauge needle): 0.71 mm to 1.10 mm, and large (19-gauge needle): >1.10 mm. The direction of foramina in each segment was noted. They were categorized into three types: horizontal, upper oblique, and lower oblique. Results: Significantly, a greater number of VF in the UE of radius were observed in the neck (average: 9.3 foramina) than in the radial tuberosity (average: 1.3 foramina). In the shaft, the maximum number of VF was observed in the anterior surface and minimum was found in the lateral surface. In the LE, the maximum number of VF was observed in the posterior surface (average 7.2 foramina) and minimum was found in the medial surface (average 1.6 foramina). In the UE of radius, 81.8% of VF were small sized. In the UE of radius, 62.8% of VF were directed horizontally. In the shaft, almost all (99%) VF were directed upper oblique. Conclusion: The present study concludes that different segments of radius have different densities of VF. The LE of radius has got more VF compared to UE indicating its rich vascularity.