Background: Supratrochlear foramen (STF) in adult humerus is formed by perforation of thin bony septum present between olecranon fossa and coronoid fossa, which is found proximal to trochlea of humerus. Presence of this foramen is clinically important during preoperative planning for intramedullary nailing in the treatment of supracondylar fractures of distal humerus.
Methods: The study was conducted on 121 dry adult humeri (49 right and 72 left) irrespective of sex were used to find the STF. The bones containing the foramen were measured and the shapes have been noted
Results: STF was seen in 13 right sided humeri (26.53%) and in 24 left sided humeri (33.33%). The mean vertical and transverse diameter of right side was 5.75±1.5 and 6.68±0.8 mm and on the left side the mean vertical and transverse diameter was 4.86±1.2 and 6.92±2.0 mm. Both right and left sided humerus showed predominantly oval shaped STF (70.27%). Translucent of septum was found in 69 (82.14%) humeri and it was chiefly seen on the left side.
Discussion and conclusion: The results of the present study showed that STF is more common on left side, with the oval shape being more common. The sides did not exhibit any statistical significance. The anatomical knowledge of STF may be beneficial for anthropologists, orthopedic surgeons and radiologists in day-to-day clinical practice
Key words: Humerus, supratrochlear foramen, coronoid-olecranon septum
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