Infraorbital foramen, also known as the infraorbital canal or notch, is a small opening located in the skull beneath the orbit (eye socket). It is an important structure in the anatomy of the head and face, serving as a passageway for nerves, arteries, and veins.
Structure
The infraorbital foramen is located in the infraorbital margin, which is the lower border of the orbit. It is situated just below the infraorbital rim, which is a raised bony structure that forms the lower border of the orbit. The foramen is a small, circular opening that is surrounded by bone.
It is formed by the frontal bone and the maxilla, which are two bones that make up the facial skeleton. The frontal bone is a bone that forms the forehead and the roof of the orbit, while the maxilla is a bone that forms the upper jaw and the floor of the orbit. The infraorbital foramen is located at the junction of these two bones.
Location
The infraorbital foramen is located in the midline of the face, just below the orbit. It is situated approximately 1 centimeter below the infraorbital rim and 1 centimeter lateral to the midline of the face. The foramen is located at the junction of the frontal bone and the maxilla.
Function
The infraorbital foramen serves as a passageway for several important structures in the head and face. These include:
- The infraorbital nerve: This is a branch of the maxillary nerve, which is a division of the trigeminal nerve. The infraorbital nerve innervates the skin and mucous membranes of the lower eyelid, the cheek, and the upper lip. It also provides sensation to the lower teeth and gums.
- The infraorbital artery: This is a branch of the facial artery, which is a branch of the external carotid artery. The infraorbital artery supplies blood to the skin and mucous membranes of the lower eyelid, the cheek, and the upper lip. It also supplies blood to the lower teeth and gums.
- The infraorbital vein: This is a branch of the facial vein, which is a branch of the external jugular vein. The infraorbital vein drains blood from the skin and mucous membranes of the lower eyelid, the cheek, and the upper lip. It also drains blood from the lower teeth and gums.
The infraorbital foramen is an important structure in the head and face because it allows the infraorbital nerve, artery, and vein to pass through the bony orbit and reach the structures they innervate and supply blood to.
Clinical Significance
The infraorbital foramen is an important structure in the anatomy of the head and face, and it has several clinical implications. Some of the most significant are:
- Anesthesia: The infraorbital nerve can be used as a site for local anesthesia during dental procedures, such as extractions or root canals. This is because the infraorbital nerve innervates the lower teeth and gums.
- Facial nerve injury: The infraorbital nerve is a branch of the trigeminal nerve, which is responsible for facial expression. If the infraorbital nerve is damaged, it can result in weakness or paralysis of the muscles of facial expression, leading to problems with smiling, frowning, and other facial movements. This can be caused by trauma to the head or face, or by conditions such as multiple sclerosis or Bell’s palsy.
- Infraorbital nerve blocks: Infraorbital nerve blocks are a type of regional anesthesia that involves injecting an anesthetic agent into the area around the infraorbital foramen. This can be used to numb the skin and mucous membranes of the lower eyelid, cheek, and upper lip. Infraorbital nerve blocks can be used to manage pain after facial surgery or trauma, or to provide anesthesia during dental procedures.
- Infraorbital foramen fractures: The infraorbital foramen can be fractured during trauma to the head or face, such as a car accident or a fall. A fractured infraorbital foramen can result in damage to the infraorbital nerve, artery, or vein, leading to sensory or motor deficits. This can be treated with surgery to repair the fracture and restore function to the affected structures.
