Assessment of variations in number, position and direction of nutrient foramina of clavicle

Abstract

Background: Human beings are bestowed with the power of bipedal locomotion; the clavicle serves as a strut that permits the upper limb to freely move away from the chest wall. The present study was conducted to assess variations in the number, position, and direction of nutrient foramina in the clavicle
Materials & Methods: 54 dried adult human clavicles were taken. The foraminal distance from the sternal end (DNF) and the total length of the clavicle (TL) were measured. The foramen index (FI): FI = (DNF/TL) ×100, DNF = distance of nutrient foramen from the proximal end (sternal end) of the clavicle, TL = total length of clavicle, was calculated.
Results: Out of 54 bones, 30 were males and 24 were females. The number of nutrient foramen was 1 in 42, 2 in 8, and 3 in 4 clavicles. The position of the nutrient foramen was anterior in 14 cases and posterior in 40 cases. Location was anterior one-third in 19 and middle one-third in 35 cases. The direction was towards the acromial end in 54 cases. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). The mean total length of the clavicle was 140.3 mm. The mean distance of foramina from the sternal end (DNF) was 64.1 mm. The mean foramen index (FI) was 45.3.
Conclusion: Orthopaedic surgeons and radiotherapists treating clavicular pathologies need to be aware of morphometric information regarding the nutrient foramen and its variations.