Anatomical Structure and Location of the Supraorbital Artery

Description

Running superiorly from the orbit to the forehead, the supraorbital artery emerges from the orbit near the supraorbital notch or foramen at the superior orbital margin and ascends in the subcutaneous tissues of the frontal region. In this male head and neck dissection style rendering, you would expect the vessel to course superior to the orbicularis oculi and frontalis, accompanied by the supraorbital nerve, then divide into superficial and deep branches that spread medially and laterally across the forehead and anterior scalp. Adjacent facial musculature, including the corrugator supercilii and procerus near the glabella, provides key surface landmarks for the artery’s path. Small-caliber arterioles and paired venous channels track alongside it. Understanding the supraorbital artery matters in both aesthetic and reconstructive work because it is a consistent source of bleeding in forehead and scalp lacerations and a frequent contributor to hematoma during subperiosteal or subgaleal dissection. Its relationship to the supraorbital nerve at the rim of the orbit also frames regional anesthesia, the supraorbital nerve block is performed near the supraorbital notch, where an injudicious needle trajectory can enter the vessel. Surgeons planning browlift, frontal sinus approaches, or endoscopic forehead procedures use this anatomy to avoid neurovascular injury while maintaining flap perfusion. A small vessel, but an unforgiving one. Use this artwork in gross anatomy teaching of the orbit and forehead, plastic surgery and dermatologic surgery atlases discussing brow and glabellar procedures, or emergency medicine training materials on hemostasis for forehead trauma. It also supports patient-facing education when explaining why periorbital bruising can follow even minor superior orbital rim injury. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.