DIAPHYSIAL NUTRIENT FORAMINA OF RADIUS

Abstract

The topography and direction of nutrient foramina on the long bones are assumed to be constant. In human
beings this is not invariably so. OBJECTIVES: Present study was conducted to observe the nutrient
foramina in radii of Pakistani (Punjabi) people and comparing with that of the Indians. MATERIAL &
METHODS: Two hundred well preserved radii bones from each sides were examined for the number, the
position, the direction and the incidence of asymmetry of the nutrient foramina. All the surfaces of bone
were examined in a regular order. To observe the position of foramen, the bone was divided into upper 1/3,
junction of upper and middle 1/3, middle 1/3 and lower 1/3. RESULTS & OBSERVATIONS: Right
radius: Of the 192 foramina, 64 (33.33%) were in the upper third, 32 (16.67%) in the middle third and 96
(50%) at the junction of upper third and middle third of the bone. Of the 192 foramina, 58 (30.21%) were
on the anterior surface and 13 (6.77%) on the posterior surface. 85 (44.27%) were present on the anterior
border and 36 (18.75%) on the inter-osseous border. Left radius: Of the 177 foramina, 50 (28.25%) were
in the upper third, 37 (20.90%) in the middle third and 90 (50.85%) at the junction of upper third and middle
third of the bone. Of the 177 foramina, 84 (47.46%) were on the anterior surface and 23 (12.99%) on the
posterior surface. 30 (16.95%) were present on the anterior border and 40 (22.60%) on the inter-osseous
border. CONCLUSION: The arrangement of the diaphysial foramina in the radius usually follows a definite
pattern. The foramina are invariably above or at the junction of the upper third with the middle third and
most frequently occur on the anterior surface nearer either the anterior or the inter-osseous border. The
presence of the nutrient foramina at different levels could be due to differential growth and the length of the
bones in different ethnic groups in Pakistani people as compared to the Indians.