Introduction: Fractures in the upper end of the ulna, including its olecranon and coronoid processes, are common. Poor replacement of a dislocated or fractured bone can result in complications such as joint instability, stiffness, and functional deformity. This study aimed to determine the morphometry of the upper end, length, weight, and volume of the ulna bone on both sides in a cross-sectional study.
Materials and Methods: Eighty-four dry ossified ulna bones (42 right, 42 left) were used in this study. The length of the ulna (L) was measured using a digital vernier caliper, while the weight of the ulna (W) was measured using an electronic weight balance. Alginate cast material was used to measure the volume of the upper end of the ulna (V). Longitudinal dimensional parameters, such as the distance between the highest point of the olecranon and that of the coronoid process (OCD) and the mid-olecranon thickness in the mediolateral (T1) and anteroposterior orientation (T2), were measured using a digital vernier caliper. Paired t-tests were used to compare the parameters between the right and left ulnas, with a statistically significant p-value <0.05.
Results: There was a statistically significant variation (p<0.05) in T1, length, weight, and volume between the right and left ulna. However, there was no statistically significant variation in OCD and T2 between the right and left ulna. The average value of T1, T2, length, weight, and volume in the right ulna was higher than that of the left ulna, while the OCD of the left ulna was higher than that of its counterpart.
Conclusion: The findings of this study can be useful for engineers and medical professionals in designing implants for conditions such as fractures and dislocations. Parameters of the olecranon and coronoid processes can also be helpful in determining an individual’s sex.
