Grant-funded Project Nr. 103/2000/C/3.LF Final Report
Project title:
The structure of the osseos tissue of the proximal end of femur
Research leader:
MUDr. Josef Stingl, CSc.
Co-researcher:
MUDr. Václav Báèa
Period of project:
2000-2001
Overall grant:
247 000 CZK
Project Results
Architecture of the primary bone and osteons of secondery, haversian transformated bone of proximal end of the human femur were studied by the displying vascular cannals method – multiple-level sanding, embrocate of ink and succesing polishing. Amount, size and distribution of vascular foramina perforating compact bone of the trochanteric massif were studied on the large group of skeletal specimens. Results were interpreted from the ortopedical and biomechanical point of view. For purpose of study of vascular foramina the trochanteric massif was divided into three parts – intertrochanteric crest, greater and lesser trochanter. We located that vascular foramina greater than 1 mm are found rarely in the region of lesser trochanter, the highest density of foramina lesser than 1 mm were found in the medioproximal quadrant and the least perforations were in a lateroproximal quadrant. Foramina greater than 1 mm are represented mainly in regions of intertrochanteric crest and trochanteric fossa. In the region of greater trochanter were found foramina lesser than 1 mm again, mainly in both basal regions, apex is perforated rather less in our observing group. From the ortopedical point of view, after comparison of maximal density of occurrence vascular foramina with the course of the most typical pertrochanteric fracture lines we can say that they correspond with each other. Establishment of the causality between these vascular foramina and fracture lines will be the aim of the next investigation. From a newborn primary bone is intensivly transformated to haversian system and vascular foramina follow directions of main strains, resp. deformations of the bone. Primery bone is staying presented in the region of greater trochanter where the bone is minimmally stressed from the tensile and pressurized point of view. Systems of osteons running along the center line were documented on the neck of femur. The region of lesser trochanter was devided into two parts – ventromedial and dorsolateral. In cortical bone along ventromedial base of lesser trochanter is not more notably tilt from central line neck – diaphysis, in dorsolateral area osteons make a system of fan out radii running from the apex of corymb. In frontal and anterolateral part of the upper end of femur below base of trochanter major deviation of osteons to laterodorsal direction was observed, in anteromedial part deflection mediodorsally from central line of diaphysis of the femur was observed. On ventral surface of femur in linea intertrochanterica systems of osteons are fluently roundly crossing from neck of the femur to diaphysis. On longitudinal and transversal cuts artefacts were eliminated. From the biomechanical point of view the upper end of the femur can be imagined as flexed hollow beam stressed diminantly pressure force – mass of the one´s body, but except it forces of muscles inserting nearby. Course of osteons is resultant of forces in each region. Interesting is dorsolateral part of lesser trochanter, where course of osteons is influenced just by tension of m. iliopsoas. Explanation appears intramedullar accumulation of spongious beams, called in clinical practice calcar femoris, which by-pases locally attenuation of cortical bone and acts as an internal brace.