SUPRATROCHLEAR FORAMEN-ANATOMICAL VARIATIONS AND ITS CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Satish Kumar S, Associate Professor, Department of Anatomy, Government Dharmapuri Medical College, Dharmapuri, Tamilnadu, India., Suresh Kumar T, Associate Professor, Department of Anatomy, Government Vellore Medical College, Vellore, Tamilnadu, India.
2019 International Journal of Anatomy and Research  
The Supratrochlear foramen (STF) is an important anatomical variation resulting from perforation of olecranon-coronoid septum present between two epicondyles of humerus. Material and methods: The study was conducted in 78 (41 left side and 37 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 specimens were photographed. Radiographs of humerus were taken to observe the translucency of septum
more » ... and the diameter of intramedullary canal was measured at three levels 1) below the surgical neck 2) junction between upper 2/3 rd and lower 1/3 rd of shaft 3) above the olecranon fossa. Results: Out of 78 bones studied,15 bones showed the presence of STF. The STF was oval, round and triangular in shape in 7, 5 and 3 bones respectively. The mean transverse and vertical diameters of supratrochlear foramen were 5.46 mm,5.82 mm and 3.94mm, 3.82mm on the left and right sides respectively. The mean diameter of the intramedullary canal was 4.51mm for the humeri with STF and in the normal humeri it was 5.77mm. Conclusion: The knowledge of STF is essential in diagnostic orthopaedics, in intramedullary nailing of humerus in supracondylar fracture. STF is a radiolucent area in radiographs and this may be misinterpreted as osteolytic or cystic lesion.
doi:10.16965/ijar.2019.230 fatcat:vphchkndtfaothmj3jiujt5t7m