An Osteological Study on Nutrient Foramina of Human Dry Adult Ulna Bones

Abstract

Background: Nutrient artery is the major source of blood supply to long bones. This artery enters the shaft of the long bone through nutrient foramen. Vascular insults to the Ulna during fracture dislocation or during surgical correction of fracture may result in delayed healing or non-union of fracture.Materials and Methods: The present study was undertaken on 100 dry adult ulna bones of unknown sex (50 each of right and left sides) from Department of Anatomy, Gadag Institute of Medical Sciences, Gadag, Karnataka. The ulna bones were numbered using a marker pen. Using Hepburn's osteometric board, length of the bone was measured. The size and direction of the nutrient foramina was assessed using 19, 22 and 25 gauge hypodermic needles.Results: Among the total 100 ulna studied, 86 had single nutrient foramina, 13 had two nutrient foramina and 1 had three nutrient foramina. 59.13% of nutrient foramina were of medium sized and 20% were of large size. 85.22% of nutrient foramina were located in upper third of shaft of ulna; 12.17% in middle third and 2.61% in lower third. 1% of NF were directed horizontally, 2% lower oblique and remaining upper oblique. No correlation could be demonstrated between the length of ulna and number of nutrient foramina in the present study. Conclusion:The present study conducted on nutrient foramina of 100 dry adult ulna arrived at a conclusion that majority of nutrient foramina were located in the upper third of the shaft in anterior surface. The results of the present study are consistent with most similar studies. The knowledge of location, direction and number of nutrient foramen on shaft of ulna is of utmost importance to the Orthopaedicians and Oncologists.

An Investigation of the Nutrient Foramen in the Long Bones of the Upper and Lower Limbs in Turkish Population

“…When the localization of the NF in the clavicle and humerus was examined, our results were similar to the results of previous studies (Table 3). Result of this study, most of the NF in the radius and ulna are localized in the middle 1/3 of the bone, while there are studies in the literature in which the NF is mostly localized in the proximal 1/3 of the bone (Table 3) (19,20). This strengthens the likelihood of differences between populations.…”

“…We encountered the NF also in the interosseous border in the current study, differently from the literature (7,27). In the ulna we examined, the most common anatomic location of the NF was the anterior surface, as in previous studies (20,(24)(25)(26). While there are studies indicating the NF in the anterior border and medial surface of the ulna, we did not encounter the NF in the anterior border and medial surface in our study (27)(28)(29).…”

Analysis of the Nutrient Foramen in Human Dry Ulnae of Turkish Population: An Anatomical Study and Current Literature Review

“…Most of the previous studies reached a consensus that the opening of the NF is towards the elbow. Nevertheless, Rangasubhe and Havaldar (16) observed 115 NF in their study and reported that 97% of NF were directed upper oblique, 2% lower oblique and remaining horizontally. Similar to the previous studies, the direction of all NF in the present study was also towards the elbow.…”

“…Similar to the study of Ukoha et al ( 4), Azizi and Danish (1) indicated that most of the NF (80%) were located in the middle third, while the remaining (20%) were situated in the upper third of the ulna. Likewise, Rangasubhe and Havaldar (16) determined that 85.22% of NFs were in the upper third and 12.17% were in the middle third of the ulna. Priya et al (11) calculated that the mean FI was 35.83 ± 6.12 and reported that 40% of NF were present in the type 1 category and 60% in type 2.…”

“…In the majority of studies in the literature, it has been reported that NF has the highest rate on the anterior surface, followed by the anterior border and interosseous border. A few studies have noted that NF can be found in the posterior surface or medial surface of the ulna (1,11,13,16). In the present study, NF was located on the anterior surface, anterior border, and interosseous border at 93.12% (135 NF), 3.44% (5 NF), and 3.44% (5 NF), respectively.…”