Nutrient foramina in the shafts of lower limb long bones: situation and number.

The location and number of the diaphysial dominant nutrient foramina in 305 specimens of the human lower limb long bones were examined. The diaphysial nutrient foramina on the femur were located at between 26.7-84.4% of the total length; while on the tibia between 11.0-67.2%; and on the fibula between 29.8-67.8% of the total length. The number of the diaphysial nutrient foramina and their distribution on the faces of each bone was also studied.