Study of Nutrient Foramina of Adult Femora With its Correlation to Length of the Bone.

Introduction: Femur is the most richly vascularised long bone which derives its nourishment from various arteries of the lower limb. The quantum of blood supply is determined by the number and calibre of these arteries. Shaft of this bone is supplied by the vessels from perforators of the thigh which gives nutrient branches to it. Femoral shaft fractures are severe disabling injuries that demand critical evaluation as to the method of treatment. Since the success of these operations depends on a minimal interference with the blood supply of the bone, the knowledge of anatomy of the nutrient vessels is of considerable importance. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 300 adult femora available in the department of Anatomy. The study was undertaken to collect information on the variations in number, location, size of the nutrient foramina and if correlation exists between the length of femur and number of nutrient foramina. Results: 60% of the bones had double, 39.33% had single and only 0.67% had single nutrient foramina (NF). 52% of them were on medial lip of linea aspera followed by 41%on lateral lip and the rest scattered. 80% of NF was located on upper and middle segments of shaft and very meagre number in lower segment. No correlation was noted between number of NF and length of the bone. Discussion and Conclusions: The findings in the present study are compared and analyzed with previous researchers. The magnitude of care to be imparted while dealing with fractures of femoral shaft is discussed. The detailed knowledge on vascular anatomy of shaft would allow surgeon to preserve them during procedures.