Existence of a rotational axial component in the human humeral medullary canal

Surg Radiol Anat. 2009 Oct;31(8):579-83. doi: 10.1007/s00276-009-0485-z. Epub 2009 Mar 10.

Abstract

To explain surgical findings, we studied the anatomy of the human humeral medullary canal on a series of 28 bones in 16 patients and 9 dried bones. A methodology is described to find angle of medullary canal on CT scans regarding to an epicondylar reference axis. We found a constant tri-dimensional spiral shape of the medullary canal in the distal part of the bone. The relations between this first description and the literature are discussed.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Diaphyses / anatomy & histology
  • Diaphyses / diagnostic imaging
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Humerus / anatomy & histology*
  • Humerus / diagnostic imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Rotation
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Torsion, Mechanical
  • Young Adult