Topographic Anatomy and Clinical Impact of Vascular Foramen on the Trochlear Groove of Adult Human Dry Femora

Abstract

Objective In this study, we aimed to assess the topographic anatomy and clinical impact of the vascular foramen on the trochlear groove of adult human dry femora. Materials and methods The incidence, shape, size, and location of the foramen present on the trochlear groove of the distal femur were studied using 33 adult human dry femora of unknown age and gender at the Department of Anatomy at Nowshera Medical College, Nowshera, Pakistan. Using a divider and scale, the incidence and structure of the vascular foramen in the trochlear groove were examined and its position in relation to the trochlear groove's upper and lower articulating edges was recorded. Results Out of 33 femora, 20 (60.6%) were right-sided and 13 (39.4%) were left-sided. All the foramina had round morphometry. In each of the 33 adult human dry femora, 15 (45.5%) had a single trochlear vascular foramen. One solitary trochlear vascular foramen was found in eight (53.3%) of the left femora and seven (46.7%) of the right femora. The diameter of each trochlear vascular foramina was about 2.5-4.5 mm with a mean diameter of 3.5 mm. Trochlear groove upper margin and foramen were 1.75-2.5 cm apart, whereas the lower margin was 0.5-01 cm apart. On average, foramen was 2.2 cm away from the upper margin, and 0.8 cm away from the lower margin. In the midline, nine (60%) trochlear vascular foramina were found, with five (55.5%) resting on the trochlear groove lower margin, and four (44.5%) lying mid-way at varying places from the upper and lower margins. The left of the centerline had six (40%) of the trochlear vascular foramen, whereas no trochlear vascular foramen was seen on the right side of the midline. Conclusions Based on our findings, a significant segment of our population has trochlear vascular foramen present on the trochlear groove as the rate of occurrence of this was found to be 45.5%. The trochlear groove center has the most foramen, accounting for 60% of all the foramen.