Variation In The Number Of Nutrient Foramina In Long Bones Of Lower Limb In Central India

ABSTRACT

Background: The major blood supply of long bone is from the nutrient arteries, these nutrient arteries enter thebone through a foramen called nutrient foramen. This is an opening into the shaft of a bone. Nutrient foramengives passage to the blood vessels of the bone. The nutrient foramen has a particular position for every bone andthe direction of foramen is away from growing end of bone.Objective: The aim of the present study was to study the anatomy and morphology of the nutrient foramina inhuman lower limb long bones.Materials and Method: The study was performed on 120 lower limb long bones which included 40 femur, 40 tibiaand 40 fibula. The bones were obtained from department of anatomy, R.K.D.F Medical college hospital & researchcentre and R.K.D.F Dental college & hospital Bhopal.Results: The variations were found in number and position of nutrient foramen in different lower limb longbones. Double and triple foramina were observed in femur. In few lower limb long bones nutrient foramen wasabsent.Conclusion: The knowledge of these foramina is useful in orthopaedics certain operative procedures as well asin plastic and reconstructive surgery, to avoid harm to the nutrient artery.