Supratrochlear Nerve, Anterior View

Description

Frontal facial skeletal anatomy is rendered with the supratrochlear nerve highlighted as it emerges from the orbit near the superomedial margin of the frontal bone, then courses superiorly over the brow toward the forehead. Medial to the supraorbital nerve, its distal branches track close to the glabella and nasal root, where they lie superficial to the frontal belly of occipitofrontalis and deep to the skin. Surrounding bony landmarks include the nasal bones, frontal process of the maxilla, orbits, zygomatic bones, maxilla, mandible, and the dental arcades, with the external ears framing the lateral margins. Clinically, the supratrochlear nerve, a terminal branch of the frontal nerve from the ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve (V1), is a common culprit in medial forehead pain syndromes and a frequent target for regional anesthesia. Its relationship to the trochlea and the superomedial orbital rim explains why brow lifts, glabellar filler injections, and upper eyelid or medial canthal approaches can provoke neurapraxia or dysesthesia when dissection strays too superficial or instruments cross the nerve’s path. Small structure, big consequences. Use this anterior view for head and neck anatomy teaching, craniofacial surgical atlases, and procedure guides covering supratrochlear nerve blocks, forehead reconstruction, and periocular cosmetic techniques where the nasal root and glabellar landmarks guide safe planes of work. It also supports radiology and pain medicine texts that map trigeminal sensory territories to focal neuralgia patterns. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.