Morphometric Study of the Nutrient Foramina in Dry Femoral Bones at Medical Campus: An Observational Study

TL;DR

This study examines the anatomical features of nutrient foramina in femurs from Nepalese adults, revealing patterns in their number, size, and location.

Contribution

The study provides population-specific data on femoral nutrient foramina in Nepalese adults, highlighting potential biomechanical influences.

Findings

Most femurs had a single nutrient foramen, with a notable prevalence of multiple foramina on the right side.

Over 60% of foramina were located along the linea aspera, with right-sided dominance in size and count.

Abstract

Femur is not only the longest bone, it also plays a vital role in weight transmission and locomotion. Nutrient artery, crucial in bone remodeling and fracture healing, enters the bone via nutrient foramen. This study investigates the anatomical characteristics of femoral nutrient foramina in Nepalese adults, driven by an increase in femur fractures amidst Nepal’s challenging terrain and lifestyle, including trekking, load-carrying, and agricultural activities. We aimed to study the population specific variability in the number, size, and location of nutrient foramina.

The quantitative study analyzed 96 femurs (49 right, 47 left) from April to June 2025, sourced from the department of anatomy at Maharajgunj Medical College, Kathmandu. Tools like osteometric board, intravenous cannula and magnifying lens were used to measure femoral length, breadth and nutrient foramina location and size. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 21.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA)

Findings revealed that 56 (58.33%) of femurs had a single nutrient foramen, while 36 (37.50%) had two. The prevalence of multiple foramina on the right side was 22 (44.89%) compared to the left 14 (29.78%). Overall, 128 foramina were recorded, where 43(33.59%) sized at 22G (0.85 mm). Importantly, over 60% of the foramina were located along the linea aspera followed by medial foramina on the right side.

The study concludes that the majority of nutrient foramina are situated along the linea aspera, with right-sided dominance in count and size, possibly due to biomechanical factors. These insights are significant for forensic/anthropological applications, including medicolegal procedures like skeletal analysis.