Anatomical and clinical perspectives on the distal humeral fossae: A study in South Indian dry bones
Background: The distal end of the humerus features three fossae—radial, coronoid, and olecranon—that accommodate the processes of the forearm bones during elbow movements. Variations in their morphology and morphometry can influence joint biomechanics, fracture fixation, and prosthesis design. Howev...
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Elsevier
2025-09-01
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| Series: | Translational Research in Anatomy |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214854X25000482 |
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| author | Nandini Prashanth Bhat Ashwija Shetty Kurian Alapatt Nom Kumar Naik Bhukya Sushma Prabhath Suhani Sumalatha |
| author_facet | Nandini Prashanth Bhat Ashwija Shetty Kurian Alapatt Nom Kumar Naik Bhukya Sushma Prabhath Suhani Sumalatha |
| author_sort | Nandini Prashanth Bhat |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: The distal end of the humerus features three fossae—radial, coronoid, and olecranon—that accommodate the processes of the forearm bones during elbow movements. Variations in their morphology and morphometry can influence joint biomechanics, fracture fixation, and prosthesis design. However, comprehensive data on all three fossae in South Indian dry humeri remain limited. This study aims to fill this gap by providing clinically relevant morphometric insights. Methodology: A total of 120 adult dry humeri (60 right, 60 left) of unknown age and sex were analyzed. Standardized photographs were evaluated using ImageJ software. Sixteen parameters—including the length, width, and circumference of each fossa—were measured. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation, and t-tests. Results: The left humerus was significantly longer (mean difference 1.96 cm) and had a greater distal width (mean difference 0.58 cm) than the right. The coronoid fossa was longer (mean difference 0.13 cm) and had a greater circumference on the right (mean difference 0.23 cm), while the radial and olecranon fossae were larger on left. Morphological analysis identified five olecranon fossa types, with oval being most common (44 %). The coronoid and radial fossae were predominantly triangular. No significant correlation was observed between humeral length or width and fossa circumference. The supratrochlear foramen, an anatomical variation which was found in 28.3 % of bones. Conclusion: These findings have important implications for orthopedic surgery, such as intramedullary fixations, prosthetic design for elbow reconstruction, and forensic anthropology. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-620296bbff4c4a81bd080912b9a8ebe2 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2214-854X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-09-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Translational Research in Anatomy |
| spelling | doaj-art-620296bbff4c4a81bd080912b9a8ebe22025-08-21T04:17:01ZengElsevierTranslational Research in Anatomy2214-854X2025-09-014010042910.1016/j.tria.2025.100429Anatomical and clinical perspectives on the distal humeral fossae: A study in South Indian dry bonesNandini Prashanth Bhat0Ashwija Shetty1Kurian Alapatt2Nom Kumar Naik Bhukya3Sushma Prabhath4Suhani Sumalatha5Department of Anatomy, Kasturba Medical College Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, IndiaDepartment of Anatomy, Kasturba Medical College Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, IndiaDepartment of Orthopedics, Jubilee Mission Medical College, Thrissur, Kerala, IndiaDepartment of Anatomy, Kasturba Medical College Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, IndiaDepartment of Anatomy, Kasturba Medical College Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, IndiaDepartment of Anatomy, Kasturba Medical College Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India; Corresponding author. Department of Anatomy, Kasturba Medical College Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India.Background: The distal end of the humerus features three fossae—radial, coronoid, and olecranon—that accommodate the processes of the forearm bones during elbow movements. Variations in their morphology and morphometry can influence joint biomechanics, fracture fixation, and prosthesis design. However, comprehensive data on all three fossae in South Indian dry humeri remain limited. This study aims to fill this gap by providing clinically relevant morphometric insights. Methodology: A total of 120 adult dry humeri (60 right, 60 left) of unknown age and sex were analyzed. Standardized photographs were evaluated using ImageJ software. Sixteen parameters—including the length, width, and circumference of each fossa—were measured. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation, and t-tests. Results: The left humerus was significantly longer (mean difference 1.96 cm) and had a greater distal width (mean difference 0.58 cm) than the right. The coronoid fossa was longer (mean difference 0.13 cm) and had a greater circumference on the right (mean difference 0.23 cm), while the radial and olecranon fossae were larger on left. Morphological analysis identified five olecranon fossa types, with oval being most common (44 %). The coronoid and radial fossae were predominantly triangular. No significant correlation was observed between humeral length or width and fossa circumference. The supratrochlear foramen, an anatomical variation which was found in 28.3 % of bones. Conclusion: These findings have important implications for orthopedic surgery, such as intramedullary fixations, prosthetic design for elbow reconstruction, and forensic anthropology.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214854X25000482 |
| spellingShingle | Nandini Prashanth Bhat Ashwija Shetty Kurian Alapatt Nom Kumar Naik Bhukya Sushma Prabhath Suhani Sumalatha Anatomical and clinical perspectives on the distal humeral fossae: A study in South Indian dry bones Translational Research in Anatomy |
| title | Anatomical and clinical perspectives on the distal humeral fossae: A study in South Indian dry bones |
| title_full | Anatomical and clinical perspectives on the distal humeral fossae: A study in South Indian dry bones |
| title_fullStr | Anatomical and clinical perspectives on the distal humeral fossae: A study in South Indian dry bones |
| title_full_unstemmed | Anatomical and clinical perspectives on the distal humeral fossae: A study in South Indian dry bones |
| title_short | Anatomical and clinical perspectives on the distal humeral fossae: A study in South Indian dry bones |
| title_sort | anatomical and clinical perspectives on the distal humeral fossae a study in south indian dry bones |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214854X25000482 |
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