Morphological study of the supracondylar process of the humerus and its clinical implications.

BACKGROUND The supracondylar process of the humerus, which is also called the supra-epitrochlear, epicondylar, epicondylic process or a supratrochlear spur, is a hook-like, bony spine of variable size that may project distally from the anteromedial surface of the humerus. It represents the embryologic vestigial remnant of climbing animals and seen in many reptiles, most marsupials, cats, lemurs and American monkeys. MATERIALS AND METHODS Two hundred and forty dried humeri were studied from department of Anatomy, Sri Siddhartha Medical College, Tumkur, Karnataka, India. The bones were examined for supracondylar process. On finding, the dimensions were recorded and photographed. RESULTS Out of 240 dried humeri examined we found only 1 humerus of the left side with an osseous spine on the anteromedial surface. The incidence calculated in this study was 0.41%. CONCLUSION The supracondylar process is frequently misjudged as a pathological condition of the bone rather than as a normal anatomical variation. Though, this process has been of more interest to anatomists and anthropologists because of a possible link to the origins and relations of the human races than to clinicians, many of whom are not aware of its occasional presence. It is usually clinically silent, but may become symptomatic by presenting as a mass or can be associated with symptoms of median nerve compression and claudication of the brachial artery.