[PDF] NUTRIENT FORAMINA: A STUDY IN THE LONG BONES OF HUMAN UPPER EXTREMITIES | Semantic Scholar (2024)

FAQs

What are nutrient foramina in long bones? ›

A nutrient foramen (plural: nutrient foramina) or vascular channel is a small tunnel through the cortex of a long bone containing a nutrient artery that supplies the bone.

“To the elbow I go, from the knee I flee” is a popular mnemonic among the medical fraternity. Most of the long bones have at least one NF, sometimes double and occasionally none. The position is described as somewhat in the middle of the shaft and this position is calculated by Hughes' foraminal index.

In the humerus, radius, and ulna, the nutrient artery forms a hairpin loop to enter the nutrient foramen (a, b). In the femur, tibia, and fibula, the nutrient artery enters directly into the nutrient foramen (c, d). Double arrow indicates the long-axis direction of bones.

Nutrient foramen is also known vascular channel a small tunnel for the entrance of blood vessels into the medullary cavity and usually seen in the shaft of long bones.

In a typical long bone, the nutrient artery enters the diaphysis via the nutrient foramen. It then divides into ascending and descending branches that run parallel to the diaphysis. These vessels further branch radially to supply blood to the bone marrow and the inner compact bone.

A foramen (pl. foramina) is an opening that allows the passage of structures from one region to another. In the skull base, there are numerous foramina that transmit cranial nerves, blood vessels and other structures – these are collectively referred to as the cranial foramina.

A nutrient artery passes through the cortical bone of a femur shaft through a hole called the nutrient foramen, usually along with a vein (Currey, 2002; Singh et al., 1991).

A mnemonic phrase that I've used to help remind us of the anatomical locations and names of the paired foramina in the cranial floor is this: Old Rotund Owls Spin Lazily Across Jugs.

The growing end is supposed to grow at least twice as fast as the other end. The nutrient artery runs away from the growing end as the growing bone might pull and rupture the artery. So the nutrient foramina are directed away from the growing end.

The brachial artery is the extension of the axillary artery starting at the lower margin of the teres major muscle and is the major artery of the upper extremity. The brachial artery courses along the ventral surface of the arm and gives rise to multiple smaller branching arteries before reaching the cubital fossa.

What is the largest nutrient artery in the body? ›

Arteria nutricia tibiae

The nutrient artery (a. nutricia tibiæ) of the tibia arises from the posterior tibial, near its origin, and after supplying a few muscular branches enters the nutrient canal of the bone, which it traverses obliquely from above downward. This is the largest nutrient artery of bone in the body.

The periosteum separates the bone from surrounding structures. It contains small blood vessels that provide nourishment to the outer cortex of bones. The periosteum has a plentiful supply of sensory nerves and is exceedingly sensitive to pain. This network of nerve fibers transmits messages throughout the body.

Background: Prenatal diagnosis of fetal short long bones (SLBs) was reported to be associated with skeletal dysplasias, chromosomal abnormalities, and genetic syndromes.

The stapes bone located in the middle ear is considered the shortest bone in the human body.

The skeleton is also a storehouse for two minerals, calcium and phosphorus, that are essential for the functioning of other body systems, and this storehouse must be called upon in times of need.

The nutrient foramen provides a passage for the nutrient artery, through which osteoblasts initially enter the bone. Osteoclasts are responsible for bone resorption, and so are important in ongoing bone re-modelling. Osteoclasts are responsible for bone resorption, while osteoblasts make and mineralise bone tissue.

Nutrient canals are anatomic structures of the alveolar bone through which neurovascular elements transit to supply teeth and supporting structures.

Conclusion: Most common location of nutrient foramen in fibula is middle 1/3rd of shaft on the medial crest with dual nutrient foramina in 6% of fibulae. These parameters show variability in different geographical location and population groups.

The nutrient artery enters the marrow cavity of long bones through the nutrient canal and branches to run parallel to the long axis in the central part of the marrow cavity forming the central arteries.