Abstract / Summary
Background: The nutrient artery serves as the main blood supply to long bones, playing an essential role in their growth and in the healing process following fractures. Nutrient foramina serve as entry points for these arteries and are important in maintaining bone vascularity. Knowledge regarding their morphology and distribution is essential for orthopedic procedures and reconstructive surgeries. Aim: The present study was conducted to evaluate the number, location, direction, and foramen index of nutrient foramina in the humerus, radius, and ulna. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional osteological study was carried out on 218 dry adult upper limb bones obtained from the department of anatomy. The study sample comprised 72 humeri, 77 radii, and 69 ulnae. Bones showing deformities, fractures, pathological alterations, or incomplete ossification were excluded from the study. The number, location, and direction of the nutrient foramina were carefully examined and recorded. In addition, the total length of each bone and the distance of the nutrient foramen from the proximal end were measured. The foramina index (FI) was calculated using Hughes’ formula: FI = DNF/TL ×100. Descriptive statistical methods were applied for data analysis, and the results were expressed as mean ± standard deviation and percentages. Results: A single nutrient foramen was the predominant observation in the examined upper limb bones, being present in 73.61% of humeri, 85.71% of radii, and 82.61% of ulnae. In the humerus, majority of the nutrient foramina were situated on the anteromedial surface (69.44%). In contrast, the anterior surface was the most frequent site in both the radius and ulna, accounting for 54.55% and 64.62% of cases, respectively. All nutrient foramina in the humerus were directed toward the elbow, whereas those in the radius and ulna were directed away from the elbow. The mean FI was calculated as 57.20% for the humerus, 35.78% for the radius, and 38.07% for the ulna. Conclusions: Nutrient foramina of upper limb bones demonstrate characteristic patterns regarding number, location, and direction. These findings provide important anatomical information useful during orthopedic surgeries, fracture fixation, bone grafting, and reconstructive procedures.