Morphology, Topography and Clinical Significance of Primary Nutrient Foramina in Tibia

Abstract

BACKGROUND Nutrient foramina are seen in the shaft of long bones. They vary in number, size and their position on the surface of bones. It transmits the nutrient artery which is the main source of blood supply to the long bones. We intend to study the location, number, type and direction of primary nutrient foramina (PNF) on the shaft of tibia. METHODS The descriptive study was done using 120 tibiae (right-66, left-54) from Department of Anatomy, Govt. Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram. Length of each bone and distance of the nutrient foramen from the upper end of tibia was measured using osteometric board. The location of the primary nutrient foramina on the surface of tibia, the direction of the nutrient canal and the presence of secondary nutrient foramina were noted. RESULTS Single primary nutrient foramina were located on the posterior surface of 113 tibiae. 4 tibiae showed PNF and secondary nutrient foramina (SNF). No nutrient foramina were observed in 3 tibiae. CONCLUSIONS The precise knowledge and topography of PNF of tibia will help orthopaedic surgeons in minimising damage to vasculature of tibia during various surgical procedures. KEY WORDS Tibia, Nutrient Foramen, Nutrient Artery