Clinical Anatomical Considerations of Clavicular Nutrient Foramina in Fracture Fixation and Bone Grafting

Abstract

Background: The vascular anatomy of the clavicle is important in fracture healing and reconstructive surgery. Nutrient foramina represent pathways for nutrient vessels and may be vulnerable during operative manipulation. This related manuscript examines the supplied anatomical findings from a clinical anatomy perspective. Methods: One hundred dried human clavicles were examined for nutrient foramen number, surface location, longitudinal distribution, direction, and morphometric position. The reported observations were interpreted in relation to internal fixation and vascularized bone grafting. Results: One nutrient foramen occurred in 70% of specimens, two in 24%, and three in 6%. The posterior surface was the dominant site (55.88%), and the middle one-third was the dominant region (70.58%). Mean distance from the sternal end was 69.63 mm, total clavicular length was 133.26 mm, and foramen index was 52.25. The canals were directed toward the acromial end. Conclusion: The findings demonstrate clinically relevant variation in nutrient foramen anatomy. Awareness of the dominant pattern and individual variability may support careful surgical handling of the clavicle.