Morphometric analysis of proximal ulna: An anatomical study

Aim: To investigate proximal ulna morphometry through a detailed analysis of 107 dry ulnae and to assert its possible clinical relevance. Materials and Methods: A total of 107 (52 left, 55 right) dry ulnae were evaluated. The ulna lengths, olecranon, and trochlear measurements were performed. All measurements were carried on with a 0.01 mm sensitive digital caliper. Results: The mean ulna length and ulna length excluding trochlear notch were 261.17±43.07 mm and, 232.37±43.17 mm, respectively. The mean posterior olecranon height, middle olecranon height, and anterior olecranon height were obtained as 24.05±2.36 mm, 17.80±1.70 mm, and 35.15±3.60 mm, respectively. The mean olecranon width was 23.20±2.79 mm. Moreover, the mean trochlear notch width, radial trochlear notch width, and ulnar trochlear notch width were 22.79±2.81 mm, 24.80±2.69 mm, and 30.14±3.05 mm, respectively. The mean radial trochlear height, ulnar trochlear height were 13.45±2.26 mm and 14.69±2.23 mm, respectively. Lastly, the mean radial notch height, radial notch width, radial notch-olecranon posterior, and radial notch-olecranon anterior were measured as 11.15±1.94 mm, 18.02±2.60 mm, 12.91±2.92 mm, and 30.94±4.62 mm, respectively. Conclusion: The findings of current study may be useful in the application of dorsal plates, intramedullary screw fixation and anatomically pre-shaped plates for the management of proximal ulna fractures.