Objective: The coronoid fossa and the olecranon fossa located on the distal end of the humerus are separated by a thin bone septum. This septum may be translucent or opaque. In some cases, this septum may become perforated, and it is called supratrochlear foramen. The aim of the present study was to describe the morphology of the supratrochlear foramen of the humerus. Methods: This study was conducted on 108 dry humeri (right (R): 56, left (L): 52) belonging to (...) adults whose age, gender, and racial properties are unknown. They were examined to determine the presence of the supratrochlear foramen. The shapes of the supratrochlear foramen were determined, and their diameters were measured. Results: The supratrochlear foramen was observed in 11 cases on the right side and 11 cases on the left side. On the right side, 5 foramens were detected to be round-shaped, 3 oval-shaped, and 3 kidney-shaped, whereas on the left side, 6 foramens were detected to be oval-shaped and 5 round-shaped. Of the 86 dry humeri with no supratrochlear foramen, 57 (R: 30, L: 27) had a translucent septum, and 29 (R: 15, L: 14) had an opaque septum. Conclusion: It is apparent that the supratrochlear foramen has been evaluated on bones generally in the literature, and there are differences in incidence rates. Owing to the clinical significance of this formation, it is thought that studying on a wider population of living individuals using radiologic imaging methods will contribute to the literature. In addition, although there are different terms used to express this formation in the literature, it is thought that adopting the name, which is commonly used as supratrochlear foramen, is most appropriate. (shrink)

Objectives: The most principal nutrition source of a bone is nutrient arteries. They are important at every stage of bone development. A nutrient artery enters a bone through the nutrient foramen, the largest hole on the outer surface of the bone. The foramen is important both morphologically and clinically. -/- Methods: A total of 414 adult human dry bones were investigated in this study to identify topographic and morphological features of nutrient foramina in the scapula, clavicle, humerus, radius and (...) ulna. Nutrient foramina were examined with a hand lens. Their dimensions and directions were determined with a 21-gauge needle, and thus major foramina were detected. Positions of nutrient foramina were noted according to surfaces of the bones, and to segments separated as proximal, middle and distal by calculating foraminal index. -/- Results: A single nutrient foramen was found in 71% of our samples. We observed that 94.2% of foramina in the clavicle, 89.3% of foramina in the humerus, 51.3% of foramina in the radius, and 67.7% of foramina in the ulna were located in the middle 1/3 segment of the bones. -/- Conclusion: Our findings were in line with the data in the literature. On account of pathologies associated with the nutrient foramen, our findings may be helpful for surgeons to design applications performed in the region. In addition, we think that our data by contributing to the literature may be a resource for clinicians due to the importance of the nutrient foramen for surgical procedures. (shrink)