Infraorbital Foramen Of The Maxilla, Anterior View

Description

Infraorbital foramen sits on the anterior surface of the maxilla, inferior to the infraorbital margin and lateral to the piriform aperture. The opening marks the anterior terminus of the infraorbital canal, which courses within the maxillary body from the orbital floor region toward the facial surface. Surrounding bony landmarks include the canine fossa inferiorly and the zygomaticomaxillary region laterally, orienting the foramen relative to the anterior midface and upper jaw. Depth cues in this fixed anterior perspective help separate the infraorbital rim superiorly from the maxillary surface where the foramen perforates the bone. Clinically, this is the exit point for the infraorbital nerve and vessels (continuations of V2 and the infraorbital artery), and its position predicts sensory deficits after midface trauma. Numbness of the lower eyelid, lateral nose, and upper lip often tracks to infraorbital nerve contusion or entrapment in orbital floor fractures, zygomaticomaxillary complex injuries, and Le Fort patterns. The illustration’s focus on the facial cortex makes it useful for planning infraorbital nerve blocks and for avoiding neurovascular injury during periorbital surgery, maxillary osteotomies, or dermal filler placement in the tear trough and midcheek. Use this illustration in head and neck anatomy teaching (dental, medical, and PA curricula), in operative atlases for maxillofacial and oculoplastic approaches, or in patient education materials explaining infraorbital hypoesthesia after fracture repair. It also supports radiology correlation when interpreting CT findings along the infraorbital canal and anterior maxillary wall. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.