Variations in nutrient foramen in the long bones of lower limb

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Original Article

Author Details : Prerana Aggarwal, Rajarshi Roy*, Shyamalendu Medda

Volume : 9, Issue : 1, Year : 2022

Article Page : 35-41

https://doi.org/10.18231/j.ijcap.2022.009

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Abstract

Background: Morphology and morphometry of nutrient foramen of bones vary from country to country and from place to place.
Objective: Objective was to study the number, position, location, directions, distance of nutrient foramen from the proximal end of femur, tibia and fibula in eastern Indian region.
Materials and Methods: In a descriptive study, 393 bilateral lower limb long bones (138 femur, 132 tibia & 123 fibulae) were studied.
Results: Total nutrient foramen calculated; 178 in femur, 137 in tibia, 121 in fibula. Most had single foramen; femur (66%), tibia (96%) and fibula (94%). Number of foramina ranged from 0-3 in femur, 1-2 in tibia and 0-2 in fibula. Foramina were present mainly on the posterior surface of the bones [linea aspera in femur (96), below soleal line and lateral to the vertical line in tibia (90) and peroneal crest in fibula (74)]. The mean length, mean distance of nutrient foramen from the proximal end of the bones measured. Most foramina found on the middle third, with foraminal index ranging from 33% to 66%; though on tibia it’s not a common finding. The 't' test value of foraminal index was significant for tibia. Mean foraminal index was measured for femur 42.28%, tibia 35.91%, fibula 41.54%.
Conclusion: The knowledge of anatomical variations of nutrient foramen is very important as preservation of vascularization of long bones is essential in fracture repair, tumor resection, bone grafting.
 

Keywords: Femur, Fibula, Foraminal index, Nutrient foramen, Tibia.

How to cite : Aggarwal P, Roy R, Medda S, Variations in nutrient foramen in the long bones of lower limb. Indian J Clin Anat Physiol 2022;9(1):35-41

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