Variation in the Number and Position of Nutrient Foramina of Long Bones of Lower Limb in North Indians.

ABSTRACT

Aims and Objectives: The major blood supply of the long bones is through the nutrient arterywhich enter through the nutrient foramina leadinginto an oblique nutrient canal. The presence, number, position and distances from the various prominent landmarks on the bone have medical as well as surgical significance. The present study was done on the long bones of North Indians to know the mean values of the number, position of nutrient foramina and distance from various landmarks on the bones and ultimately to compare with other populations. Materials and Methods: The present study consists of 180 long bones of lower limb (60 femora, 60 tibiae, 60 fibulae) which were taken from Department of Anatomy, Sri Guru Ram Das Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Vallah (Amritsar), India and studied carefully for the number, position and distance of nutrient foramina in relation to length and from the proximal epiphysis of the long bones. Also the anteroposterior and lateromedial diameter of the bone at the level of nutrient foramen were studied. Main outcome measure: Variations in number, position and distance in relation to length and from proximal epiphysis of long bones was seen. Results: The nutrient foramen of femur was located on the linea aspera in 76.50% of cases(39% in interstice 9.5% on the lateral lip and 28.00% on the medial lip of the linea aspera), 18.50 %on the medial surface and 5%.on the lateral surface. Nutrient foramen of tibia was located in 95.50% of cases under the soleal line at the average distance of 119.8 mm from intercondylar eminence to the nutrient foramen, on the soleal line in 4%and on the lateral border in 0.50% of cases. Nutrient foramen of fibula was found on the posterior surface in 65 % of cases, in 15% on the medial surface, on the interosseous border in 10% ,on the lateral surface in 7% and on the posterior border in 3% of cases. Conclusion: This study will provide the ethnic data for comparison among various populations. It is also helpful in various surgical procedures and in interpretation of radiological images.