Variations in nutrient foramen in the long bones of lower limb

Abstract

Morphology and morphometry of nutrient foramen of bones vary from country to country and from place to place. Objective was to study the number, position, location, directions, distance of nutrient foramen from the proximal end of femur, tibia and fibula in eastern Indian region. In a descriptive study, 393 bilateral lower limb long bones (138 femur, 132 tibia & 123 fibulae) were studied. Total nutrient foramen calculated; 178 in femur, 137 in tibia, 121 in fibula. Most had single foramen; femur (66%), tibia (96%) and fibula (94%). Number of foramina ranged from 0-3 in femur, 1-2 in tibia and 0-2 in fibula. Foramina were present mainly on the posterior surface of the bones [linea aspera in femur (96), below soleal line and lateral to the vertical line in tibia (90) and peroneal crest in fibula (74)]. The mean length, mean distance of nutrient foramen from the proximal end of the bones measured. Most foramina found on the middle third, with foraminal index ranging from 33% to 66%; though on tibia it’s not a common finding. The 't' test value of foraminal index was significant for tibia. Mean foraminal index was measured for femur 42.28%, tibia 35.91%, fibula 41.54%. The knowledge of anatomical variations of nutrient foramen is very important as preservation of vascularization of long bones is essential in fracture repair, tumor resection, bone grafting.