A Study On The Incidence And Size Of The Supratrochlear Foramen Of The Humerus In South Indian Dry Adult Humeri With Its Clinical Importance

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Supratrochlear foramen of the humerus is usually not mentioned in most of the anatomy andorthopaedics literature. Knowledge of supratrochlear foramen is important in the treatment of supracondylarfractures of the humerus, intramedullary humeral nailing, and preventing misinterpretation of X-Rays at theelbow joint, alteration of fracture patterns.Materials and Methods: The present study was carried out on 132 dried human humeri of unknown sex and age.Incidence, shape, and size of the supratrochlear foramen was recorded. Vertical and transverse diameters weremeasured by using a double tipped compass and sliding calipers.Results: Out of the 132 bones studied, 34 bones showed the presence of supratrochlear foramen. It was observedthat the incidence was more on the left side than on the right. The most common shape observed was oval in19.69%, round in 3.03%, bilobed in 1.51% and irregular in 1.51% of the specimens. Mean transverse diameter ofthe supratrochlear foramen on the left and right sides were 7.25mm and 8.1mm respectively. The mean verticaldiameter of supra trochlear foramen on the left and right sides were 5.3mm and 5.4mm respectively.Conclusion: Knowledge of supratrochlear foramen of the humerus helps clinicians in diagnosis and treatmentstrategies, while dealing with the elbow pathologies, fractures of the lower end of the humerus and supracondylarfractures of the humerus.