Morphological Variations of Nutrient Foramina in upper limb long bones

The nutrient artery is the principal source of blood supply to a long bone and is particularly important during its active growth period in the embryo and foetus as well as during the early phase of ossification. The aim of the present study was to study the topographic anatomy and morphology of the nutrient foramina in human adult upper limb long bones. The study was performed on 40 upper limb long bones which include 40 humerii, 40 radii, 40 ulnae. The bones were obtained from department of anatomy Punjab institute of medical sciences, Jalandhar. The variations were found in number and location of nutrient foramen in different upper limb bones. In humerus double and triple foramina were found. In radius and ulna double foramina were observed at the maximum. Absence of nutrient foramen was observed in radius. The knowledge about these foramina is useful in surgical procedures.