The Supratrochlear Foramen in Iron Age Humerus Remains from Iran: A Paleoepidemiological Case Report

The supratrochlear foramen of the humerus (septal aperture) refers to the absence of the septum between the coronoid and olecranon fossae at the distal end of the humerus. Knowledge of this anatomical variation is important for anatomists, anthropologists, orthopedic surgeons, and radiologists in clinical practice. This study aimed to evaluate non-metric anatomical traits in skeletons discovered in an Iron Age cemetery in Tabriz. To date, multiple tombs have been uncovered beneath one meter of sterile soil, covered by a substantial layer of medieval building debris. Among the 40 adult skeletons found in this cemetery, no prior scientific data on burials in this area had been collected. This study documented the presence of a supratrochlear foramen in both humeri of a female skeleton from this Iron Age site in Tabriz (Iran). The bilateral incidence of this trait was 2.5%, which was lower than reported in previous anthropological studies. Notably, this is the first documented case in Iran comparable to European and white American populations. The closure of this foramen serves as a criterion of age estimation in sub-adult humans. Given existing reports on its clinical implications, greater attention should be paid to this diversity, particularly in Iran. The findings might prove valuable not only for anatomists and anthropologists but also for radiologists and orthopedic surgeons.