Anatomical Study of Septal Aperture in Human Humerus in a Population from Southwest Region of Brazil

Aim: To evaluate the influence of septal aperture (SA) according to sex and side of human skeletons in a sample of the Brazilian population.

Methodology: 103 dried human humeri of both sexes (65 male and 24 female) were used, aged between 18 and 80 years. The morphometry of the SA dimensions was carried out, including the measurement of horizontal diameter and vertical diameter, using a digital caliper. Statistical analysis was performed, considering a significance level of 5%. The ANOVA test (unpaired) was performed to verify whether there was a difference between the sexes (male and female) on each side (right and left). For multiple comparisons, the Tukey test was used. When a normal distribution of data was not found, the Kruskal-Wallis test was performed to evaluate whether there was a difference between the sexes (male and female) on each side (right and left). In this case, for multiple comparisons, the Dunn test was used.

Results: From 103 bones, the SA appeared in 18 bones, regardless of sex and side, resulting in a total incidence of 17.4%. In the general sample, the incidence of SA was 12.6% for males and 4.85% for females. When considering the side, the left side had a higher incidence than the right side, presenting 9.7% and 7.7% respectively. The most common morphological aspect was Oval on both sides and in both sexes. There were no statistical differences regarding morphometry, considering sex and side.

Conclusion: SA is more common in males, on the left side and with an oval morphology in a population from southeastern Brazil.