Observations on Diaphysial Nutrient Foramina in Human Metatarsals

One hundred ninety seven metatarsals of Korean adults were studied macroscopically for the number, position and direction of the diaphysial nutrient foramen. Most metatarsals had on diaphysial nutrient foramen which was situated in the middle third of the shaft with average foraminal index ranging from 43 to 51, but 73% of first metatarsals had two or more foramina. No foramen was observed in 3% of total metatarsals studied. Nutrient foramen was present most frequently on the lateral surface in the first and second metatarsals and on the medial surface in the fifth, but it was present about the same the rate on both medial and lateral surfaces in the third and forth. The direction of the foramen was toward the head in the first metatarsals and toward the basis in the rest being always away from the growing end, thus favoring the growing end theory.