Morphometric Study of the Distal Articular Surface of Fully Ossified Dry Human Humeri in the Bangladeshi Population.

Abstract

The distal humerus is a complex anatomical region essential for the stability and range of motion of the elbow joint; therefore, precise morphometric data of the trochlea and capitulum are critical for successful orthopaedic interventions and prosthetic design. This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted at the Department of Anatomy, Mymensingh Medical College, Bangladesh from July 2021 and June 2022 to establish a standardized anatomical baseline for the distal humeral articular surface in a Bangladeshi adult population. Utilizing a purposive sampling technique, researchers examined 100 specimens (43 right and 57 left humeri), excluding any bones with damage, fractures, or incomplete ossification to ensure data integrity. Morphometric measurements taken with digital caliper revealed that the mean maximum transverse diameter of the distal articular surfaces was 41.095±4.379 mm for the right humeri and 40.998±3.810 mm for the left. Additionally, the maximum transverse diameter of the capitulum measured 17.940±0.569 mm on the right and 17.270±0.630 mm on the left, while the diameter of the trochlea remained nearly identical bilaterally, recording 23.399±2.778 mm on the right and 23.445±2.458 mm on the left. These findings underscore a significant degree of morphological diversity and fill a vital gap in the anatomical record, serving as a key resource for developing population-specific elbow prostheses and refining reconstructive surgical techniques.