Anatomical Location of the Infrapalpebral Sulcus

Description

Running just inferior to the palpebra inferior, the infrapalpebral sulcus is traced as a curved lid cheek junction from the medial canthus toward the lateral canthus, following the inferior orbital margin as it sweeps onto the malar region. A blue contour line marks the sulcus against adjacent landmarks, with the lower eyelid skin lying superior to the groove and the upper cheek soft tissues lying inferior and slightly lateral. Medially, the sulcus approaches the nasojugal groove near the lacrimal fossa; laterally it blends toward the lateral orbital rim over the zygomatic bone. Orbicularis oculi overlies the area, with the infraorbital rim forming the deep bony reference. For teaching and clinical planning, this surface line matters because it corresponds to where lower eyelid skin, the orbicularis retaining ligament, and suborbicularis fat change thickness and tethering, creating the familiar tear trough and lid cheek transition. Small shifts in volume or ligament laxity here produce periorbital hollowing or festoons, and the exact position of the sulcus guides lower blepharoplasty incisions, midface lift vectors, and placement planes for hyaluronic acid filler. Precision reduces risks, including contour irregularity, Tyndall effect, or edema from product placed too superficially near the thin lower lid skin. Use this illustration in facial anatomy and dermatology courses when introducing periorbital topography, and in cosmetic surgery or oculoplastic presentations that compare tear trough deformity patterns across patients with higher melanin skin where shadowing and hyperpigmentation can complicate visual assessment. It also suits patient education materials that need a clean, neutral rendering to discuss under eye hollows, lid cheek grooves, and treatment boundaries without distracting hair or background elements. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.