STUDY OF NUTRIENT FORAMINA IN DRY ADULT FEMUR IN CENTRAL INDIA REGION

Abstract

Introduction:- Femur is the longest weight bearing bone of the body. The accurate knowledge of its blood supply and nutrient foramina is very crucial to prevent intraoperative injuries in orthopaedic, plastic and reconstructive surgeries. Aims & Objectives:- To conduct morphological analysis of diaphyseal nutrient foramina of femur with respect to their number, location, direction and size in central India region. Materials & Method:- 160 dry adult femora (80 right and 80 left) were studied in the Department of Anatomy, Gandhi Medical College, Bhopal. Femora were examined for length and nutrient foramina for number, size, location, position including foraminal index and direction. Results & Conclusion:- Mean femur length was 44.13 cm. (n=160) 41.9% with single nutrient foramina, 50.6% with double foramina, 3.8% with three foramina, 0.6% with four foramina, 0.6% with ve foramina and 2.5% femurs with no foramina. The range of size of nutrient foramina was 0.45 mm to 1.27 mm. Most common position was middle one third of the shaft (84.38%) and most common location was linea aspera (63.68%) with all nutrient foramina directed upwards. Knowledge about the exact location and distribution of nutrient foramina in the diaphysis of Femur is essential to avoid damage to the nutrient vessels during surgical procedures. It will help in better fracture healing and microvascular bone grafting.