Abstract
Background
The aim of the present study was to describe the prevalence and topography of the dominant nutrient foramen at the clavicle.
Methods
317 macerated human clavicles (167 right and 150 left) were available for the study. After detecting the dominant nutrient foramen, the total distance from the sternal surface to the examined nutrient foramen was measured. A foramen index (FI) was used for further data processing.
Results
We detected a dominant foramen in 300/317 (94.64%) clavicles, which was located in the middle third in 287/300 (95.7%) clavicles. The average clavicular length was measured at 14.9 cm ± 1.0 cm (range 11.6–17.5 cm) with an average foraminal distance from the sternoclavicular joint surface of 7.9 cm ± 1.3 cm (range 0.9–12.6 cm) in total. The mean FI was 53.2% ± SD 7.4% (range 5.5–79.3%).
Conclusion
The present study provides a topographic mapping of the foraminal area (46–60% of the total clavicular length). The findings help to assess clavicular fracture patterns, which pass through the foraminal area.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Fischer LP, JP C (1978) Vascularisation artérielle des os chez l’homme. Bull Assoc Anat 62:419–454
Freyschmidt J, Sternberg A, Brossmann J (2003) Borderlands of normal and early pathological findings in skeletal radiography, 5th edn. Thieme, New York, pp 305–318
Gardner E (1968) The embryology of the clavicle. Clin Orthop Relat Res 58:9–16
Garzon-Alvarado DA, Gutierrez ML, Calixto LF (2014) A computational model of clavicle bone formation: a mechano-biochemical hypothesis. Bone 61:132–137. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bone.2014.01.007
Havet E, Duparc F, Tobenas-Dujardin AC et al (2008) Vascular anatomical basis of clavicular non-union. Surg Radiol Anat 30:23–28. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-007-0278-1
Kizilkanat E, Boyan N, Ozsahin ET et al (2007) Location, number and clinical significance of nutrient foramina in human long bones. Ann Anat 189:87–95. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aanat.2006.07.004
Knudsen FW, Andersen M, Krag C (1989) The arterial supply of the clavicle. Surg Radiol Anat 11:211–214
Kumar R, Madewell JE, Swischuk LE et al (1989) The clavicle: normal and abnormal. Radiographics 9:677–706. https://doi.org/10.1148/radiographics.9.4.2756192
Murlimanju BV, Prabhu LV, Pai MM et al (2011) Neurovascular foramina of the human clavicle and their clinical significance. Surg Radiol Anat 33:679–682. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-011-0805-y
Murlimanju BV, Prashanth KU, Prabhu LV et al (2011) Morphological and topographical anatomy of nutrient foramina in human upper limb long bones and their surgical importance. Rom J Morphol Embryol 52:859–862
Mysorekar VR, Nandedkar AN (1979) Diaphysial nutrient foramina in human phalanges. J Anat 128:315–322
Nagel A (1993) The clinical significance of the nutrient artery. Orthop Rev 22:557–561
Patake SM, Mysorekar VR (1977) Diaphysial nutrient foramina in human metacarpals and metatarsals. J Anat 124:299–304
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of interest
The authors, their immediate family, and any research foundation with which they are affiliated did not receive any financial payments or other benefits from any commercial entity related to the subject of this article.
Ethical approval
The Ethics Commission of the Faculty of Medicine of Cologne University has approved the study.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Leschinger, T., Krane, F., Hackl, M. et al. The dominant nutrient foramen at the clavicular midshaft: an anatomical study. Surg Radiol Anat 41, 361–364 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-018-2169-z
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-018-2169-z