Supratrochlear foramen of the humerus: an anatomico-radiological study with clinical implications.
BACKGROUND
The supratrochlear foramen (STF) of the humerus has been a neglected entity in standard anatomy and orthopaedics text-books. The knowledge of the presence of STF in a humerus may be important for preoperative planning for treatment of supracondylar fractures. The presence of STF may also result in erroneous interpretation of radiographs.


METHODS
The STF was studied in detail in 384 (220 left side and 164 right side) human dried humeri of unknown sex and age. The topographical anatomy of the STF was studied in detail, morphometric measurements were taken, and the specimens were photographed. The humerus was also taken for radiological assessment of the STF and supratrochlear septum.


RESULTS
Out of the 384 bones studied, 132 cases (34.3%) showed the presence of STF. The STF was oval, round, and triangular in shape in 123, 7, and 2 cases, respectively. The mean length of the transverse diameter for supratrochlear foramen was 6.55 mm and 5.99 mm on the left and right sides, respectively. The mean length of the vertical diameter for STF was 4.85 mm and 3.81 mm on the left and right sides, respectively. Most of the bones that had no STF showed a translucency of septum, in 56.7% of the bones.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of our study show that STF is more common on the right side, with the oval shape being more common. The respective sides did not exhibit any statistical significant differences. Presence of STF may be important for anthropological, clinical, and academic purpose.
Nayak
Soubhagya R
SR
Department of Anatomy, Centre for Basic Sciences, Kasturba Medical College, Bejai, Mangalore, Karnataka, India. ranjanbhatana@gmail.com
Das
Srijit
S
Krishnamurthy
Ashwin
A
Prabhu
Latha V
LV
Potu
Bhagath Kumar
BK
D006801:Humans; D006811:Humerus / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011859:Radiography