Giant Nutrient Foramina and Their Distribution Patterns in Acetabular Fossa

Background: The distribution of nutrient foramina sheds light on the branching pattern of arteries supplying flat and irregular bones. In this study, it was aimed to reveal the distribution pattern of the big nutrient foramina in the acetabular fossa. Materials and Methods: Our study was performed on 46 dry coxae. It was first divided into two regions, anterior and posterior, by a line descending perpendicularly from the acetabular fossa to the acetabular notch. Afterwards, the anterior and posterior regions were divided into two with an angle of 45°, and the fossa was divided into four equal regions in total. The distribution pattern of the nutrient foramina in the acetabular fossa was examined and typified. In addition, the coxal bones were photographed from the lateral and the morphometric parameters of the acetabulum and acetabular fossa were measured with the Image-J program. Results: Very big (up to 7 mm in diameter) nutrient foramina were detected in the acetabular fossa. Classification was performed according to the number and localization of these large nutrient foramina, and a total of six different types of distribution patterns were determined. Their incidence rates were Type I 13%, Type II 16%, Type III 18%, Type IV 2%, Type V 2%, and Type VI 2%. No correlation was found between the acetabular fossa morphometric values and distribution pattern types. Conclusion: The presence and localization information of giant nutrient foramina can be benefit orthopedists performing hip joint surgery.