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The occurrence of the septal perforation of the humerus in three non‐human primate species
Author(s) -
Benfer Robert A.,
Tappen Neil C.
Publication year - 1968
Publication title -
american journal of physical anthropology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.146
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1096-8644
pISSN - 0002-9483
DOI - 10.1002/ajpa.1330290111
Subject(s) - olecranon , ulna , medicine , perforation , elbow , anatomy , humerus , materials science , metallurgy , punching
Evidence is presented concerning the occurrence of the coronoid‐olecranon perforation of the humerus in three species of Old World monkeys. Significant relationships are found to exist between the occurrence of the perforation and smaller minimum midshaft diameters of humeri, younger ages, and more protruding processes of ulnae. A possible explanation for perforated coronoid‐olecranon septums is advanced. The olecranon process of the ulna is found to project relatively more from the shaft in young individuals than old individuals. Since the protrusion of this process is positively correlated with the occurrence of the septal perforation, it is suggested that the articulation of the point of the ulna causes resorption of the coronoid‐olecranon septum. With advancing age, the contact is broken, and the perforation is filled in. Since significant correlations are shown for the occurrence of the perforation and the size of the humerus, even for an adult sample, it seems probable that the robustness of the humerus is an inhibiting factor in the occurrence and maintenance of the perforation. In larger humeri, it is possible that the point of the ulna cannot cause complete resorption, and resorption would be more likely to cause a perforation in humeri with thinner coronoid‐olecranon septums. Because extreme extension of the elbow always forms an angle considerably less than 180° between the axes of the shafts in the humerus and the ulna in these monkeys, it is strongly indicated that hyperextension of the elbow joint beyond 180° is not a primary cause of the septal perforation when it appears in man.