title: Anatomical study of the clavicle: endomedullary morphology.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The treatment of clavicle fractures remains controversial. The objective of this study was to investigate the possibility of clavicular intramedullary fixation by nailing through an anatomic study combined with CT scan studies.
  
  
  METHODS
  For the anatomic study, 20 clavicles of donated bodies to science (10 men, 10 women, 10 right, 10 left) were used. We measured the length of the clavicle, lateral epiphysis diameter, mean diaphysis diameter, medial epiphysis diameter, lateral width, lateral radius of curvature, medial width and medial radius of curvature. Intramedullary cavity diameter (anteroposterior and superoinferior) and calibration were measured by CT scan study on 20 clavicles.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Average length was 152 mm for men and 140 mm for women. The anteroposterior curvature was most pronounced. The medullary canal had a gradually decreasing size from the distal portion to the middle segment, but never disappeared.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Evaluation of morphological data can clarify the specifications of an intramedullary nail: flexibility of the nail to match clavicle curvature and a locking system to ensure primary stability. Intramedullary fixation by nailing in displaced fractures of the middle portion of the clavicle is a minimally invasive surgical technique, with excellent functional and cosmetic results.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Anatomy, Laboratoire d'Anatomie, Faculty of Medicine, University of Limoges, 2, Rue Dr Marcland, 87025, Limoges, France.
authors.forename: Pierre-Alain
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Mathieu
authors.forename: Pierre-Sylvain
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Marcheix
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Hummel
authors.forename: Denis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Valleix
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mabit
mesh_terms: D002968:Clavicle / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005594:Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012016:Reference Values; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed