Anatomical study of nutrient foramina in adult human femur bones

Abstract

Introduction: The nutrient foramen is defined as the largest foramen present on the shaft of long bones allowing nutrient artery to enter the bone, the role of which is important in providing nutrition and growth of long bones. Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted on 80 dry femur bones of unknown age and sex, which were obtained from Department of Anatomy, GMC Jammu. Adult femur bones were examined for number and position of nutrient foramen. Result: Out of 42 right sided femur bones, 4 (9.52%) had two nutrient foramina and 38 (90.47) had one nutrient foramen. Out of 38 left sided femur bones evaluated, only 1 (2.63%) had two nutrient foramina and 37 (97.36%) had single nutrient foramen. In 42 right femur bones, 28 nutrient foramina were present in upper one-third portion, 17 nutrient foramina were present in middle one-third and 1 nutrient foramen was present in lower onethird portion of femur bone. In 38 left femur bones, 24 nutrient foramina were present in upper one-third portion, 14 nutrient foramina in middle one-third and 1 nutrient foramen in lower one-third portion of femur. Conclusion: Knowledge of nutrient foramen number and position is of great importance for orthopedicians, radiologists, plastic surgeons and vascular surgeons for avoiding any damage to the nutrient vessels during surgical procedures.