Entepicondylar foramen

Entepicondylar foramen is a feature found in the humerus of most mammals. It is a hole in the distal end of the humerus, near the condyle. The presence or absence of this foramen, as well as its size and shape, can be used in taxonomy to help identify different species.

Etymology

The term "entepicondylar foramen" comes from the Greek words "ente," meaning "in," "epi," meaning "on," and "condyle," referring to the rounded prominence at the end of a bone. The "foramen" is a Latin term for "hole."

Function

The entepicondylar foramen serves as a passage for the median nerve and the brachial artery, which supply the forelimb. In some mammals, it also provides a passage for the ulnar nerve.

Taxonomic significance

The presence, absence, or morphology of the entepicondylar foramen can be used in the classification of mammals. For example, it is absent in primates and carnivores, but present in marsupials and monotremes. Its size and shape can also vary between different species.

Related terms

• Humerus: The bone in the upper arm or forelimb, forming joints at the shoulder and the elbow.
• Condyle: A rounded prominence at the end of a bone, most often for articulation with another bone.
• Foramen: A hole or opening in a bone or between body cavities.
• Median nerve: A nerve in humans and other animals located in the upper limb, one of the five main nerves originating from the brachial plexus.
• Brachial artery: The major blood vessel of the upper arm.
• Ulnar nerve: A nerve that runs near the ulna bone, responsible for the innervation of the majority of the muscles in the hand.

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