Morphological study of nutrient foramen in adult human clavicles

Abstract

Introduction: The Clavicle is a modified long bone and only long bone which is placed horizontally and subcutaneously at the root of neck. It transmits the weight from upper limb to the axial skeleton. Nutrient foramen is the largest foramen on the long bones through which nutrient artery for the bones passes. The nutrient artery is the principal source of blood supply to a long bone, particularly important during its active growth period in the embryo and foetus, as well as during the early phase of ossification. The bone has a cylindrical part called the shaft and two ends, lateral and medial. The shaft is divisible into the lateral one-third and the medial two-thirds. The inferior surface of shaft of clavicle presents a subclavian groove. A Nutrient foramen lies at the lateral end of the groove running in a lateral direction. Aims & objectives: To note the position, number and direction of nutrient foramen Materials and Methods: The present study was performed on 100 adult human clavicles of unknown sex and age collected from the department of anatomy, Mysore medical college and research institute, Mysore. Clavicles were examined by direct observation to note the position, number and direction of nutrient foramen. A magnifying lens was used to observe the foramina. Results: The study was conducted on 100 adult human clavicles (50 right and 50 left), and we observed the following results: Nutrient foramina were present in 97 clavicles - 49 clavicles (right) and 48 clavicles (left). Single foramina was present in 80 clavicles, 41 clavicles (right) and 39 clavicles (left) Double foramina were present in 17 clavicles, 8 clavicles (right) and 9 clavicles (left). Absence of nutrient foramina were found in 3 clavicles, 1 clavicle (right) and 2 clavicles (left). All foramina were directed towards the acromial end of the clavicle. Conclusion: The knowledge of anatomical variations of nutrient foramina in clavicles are important for surgeons for performing surgical procedures like bone grafting and microsurgical vascularised bone transplantation. KEY WORDS: Clavicle, Nutrient Foramen, Bone Graft.