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Study of Supratrochlear Foramen of Humerus
Authors: DR. DHANALAKSHMI V, DR. SANTHI B, DR. MANOHARAN C, DR. FLORA JUANITA E
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Background: The thin plate between olecranon and coronoid fossa is sometimes perforated forming supra trochlear or inter condyloid foramen. This study is conducted to observe the morphology and to analyze the incidence of the Supratrochlear foramen (STF) in human humeri as it is more common in prehistoric bones and in lower races and is also clinically significant. Methods and Materials: The study was carried out on 160 dried humeri (76 right and 84 left) from the Department of Anatomy and Forensic Medicine, Government Medical College, Thoothukudi, Tamilnadu. Size and shape of the foramen were noted and its distance from epicondyle was measured. Intramedullary canal diameter was measured from the X-ray of the humeri with supratrochlear foramen. Observation: Out of 160 bones studied, STF was found in 55 humeri with incidence of 34.4%. The shape of the foramen varied from oval to round. The mean transverse diameter on right and left were 6.18mm and 6.97mm respectively. The mean vertical diameters were 4.5mm on right and 4.63mm on left side. The mean distance from medial epicondyle was 25.3mm on right and 24.24mm on left side and from lateral epicondyle was 26.23 mm on right and 25.3mm on left side. Translucency of bony septum was observed in 56 humeri. Humerus with multiple perforations in coronoid fossa was also observed. 41.8% of humeri with STF showed narrow medullary canal. STF may mimic an osteolytic lesion in plain radiographs. Septal aperture can be associated with narrow canal diameter. Unusual fractures can occur in the presence of supratrochlear foramen. Conclusion: Anatomical knowledge of STF will be beneficial to orthopedic surgeons, radiologists and anthropologists.