Anatomical study of diaphyseal nutrient foramina in human adult humerus

Abstract

Purpose: The objective of the following study is to determine the variation in diaphyseal nutrient foramen (NF) of humerus with respect to their number, location, direction and size. Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted on 100 humeri. The number and direction of diaphyseal NF were observed in all bones with the help of a hand lens. Position was described into horizontal and vertical zones; caliber was determined using hypodermic needles. Foraminal index was also calculated. Results: The mean length of humerus observed in the present study was 30.7 cm. The NF was situated at 17.8 cm from the proximal end, 12.4 cm from the distal end and ~2.9 cm below the mid length of humerus. The mean foramina index and circumference of NF was 57.7 and 6.2 cm respectively. Majority of the humeri (77%) had single NF while in 3% of humeri NF was absent. Middle one-third and on the antero-medial surface of the humerus was the most common location of the foramen. Majority of the dominant foramen was large in size and all were directing toward the distal end. Conclusion: The results of the present investigation indicate that there is variation in the number, location and size of NF in humeri among Indian population. An accurate knowledge of the location of the NF in long bones can be useful in certain surgical procedures such as bone grafting, microsurgical vascularized bone transplantation and in fractures.