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Supracondylar Process

 

Supracondylar Process

AKA supracondylar spur, supratrochlear spur, or avian spur

Located along the distal anteromedial humeral cortex

~5 cm proximal to and pointing towards the medial epicondyle of the humerus

(as opposed to an osteochondroma which points away from the joint)

It is an anatomical varient present in ~1% of the population.

Supracondylar Process is considered a vestigial structure as the supracondylar canal (foramen) can be found as a normal structure in many more primitive mammals

Ligament of Struthers

This may be present and joints the tip of the process with the medial epicondyle forming a supracondylar canal

the median nerve and brachial artery will then pass through the canal.

The ligament is thought to represent the vestigial third head of the coracobrachialis as the two main heads of the coracobrachialis surround the musculocutaneous nerve and then fuse in human fetuses which explains why the nerve passes through the muscle.

Most patients are asymptomatic

It can however cause:

Median Nerve Compression (supracondylar process syndrome)

Brachial Artery Compression

 

Remember- “The Eyes Will Not See What The Brain Does Not Know”