Welcome to International Journal of Anatomy and Research

Type of Article: Original Research

Year: 2016 | Volume 4 | Issue 3 | Page No. 2706-2709

Date of Publication: 31-08-2016

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.16965/ijar.2016.312

A STUDY ON THE NUTRIENT FORAMEN OF HUMERUS

Asharani S K *¹, Ajay Ningaiah ².

^{*1 and 2} Assistant Professor, Department of Anatomy, Adichunchanagiri Institute of Medical Sciences, B G Nagar, Mandya (district), Karnataka, India.

Address: Dr. Asharani S K, Assistant Professor, Department of Anatomy, Adichunchanagiri Institute of Medical Sciences, B G Nagar, Nagamangala (taluk), Mandya (district) – 571448, Karnataka, India. Mobile no.: +919480304208 E-Mail: ashakshetty@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Background: Lack of an adequate vascular supply can significantly delay or prevent fracture healing. Nutrient artery is the major source of blood supply to the long bone and hence plays an important role in fracture healing.
Aim: To determine the number, direction and location of nutrient foramen of humerus.
Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 120 adult humerii collected from the Department of Anatomy, Adichunchanagiri Institute of medical sciences. Bones were observed for the number, direction and location of nutrient foramen.
Results: In the present study 87% bones have one and 11% have two nutrient foramina respectively. In Majority of the bones studied, the nutrient foramen is located either on the medial border (57%) or on the anteromedial surface (43%). In the rest nutrient foramen is located on lateral border(3%), posterior surface(3%) or anterior border(2%). 87% have the nutrient foramen located in Zone II , 22% at the junction between Zone II and Zone III and 2% in Zone III. The direction of foramen is towards the elbow joint i.e. away from the growing end.
Conclusion: Nutrient artery is the principal source of blood supply to long bones which enters through the nutrient foramen. The anatomical knowledge of nutrient foramen is important for orthopaedic surgeons during surgical procedures on the humerus viz, bone grafting and microsurgical bone transplantation.
Key words: Nutrient foramen, Nutrient artery, Humerus, Fractures.

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Asharani S K, Ajay Ningaiah. A STUDY ON THE NUTRIENT FORAMEN OF HUMERUS. Int J Anat Res 2016;4(3):2706-2709. DOI: 10.16965/ijar.2016.312