Anatomical study on the diaphyseal nutrient foramen of the femur and tibia of the German shepherd dog.

To provide anatomical data on the nutrient foramen (NF), the authors observed the number, site and its index (SI), position, diameter and penetrating direction of the nutrient canal (NC) in the femur and tibia of German shepherd dogs. The femur often had more than two NF on the caudal surface with 30.0 to 86.7% of SI. The proximal NF of the femur was regarded to be the major NF, because it was present in most dogs and had the largest diameter. The tibia always had only one NF with 23.2 to 38.3% of SI on the lateral border. Their direction of the NC followed Bérard's rule with the exception of the proximal NF of the femur. These results describe the anatomical condition of the NF and NC in the dog.