Anatomical Structure and Location of the Supratrochlear Artery

Description

Rising from the superomedial orbit near the trochlea, the supratrochlear artery courses superiorly in the medial forehead, typically emerging medial to the supraorbital neurovascular bundle and passing deep to the corrugator supercilii and frontalis before becoming subcutaneous. Its distal branches spread over the medial brow and lower frontal scalp, running superficial to the frontal bone while remaining medial to the temporal lines. Inferiorly, the vessel relates to the orbit and nasal root, and it connects with adjacent territories through anastomoses with the supraorbital artery laterally and the dorsal nasal branch of the ophthalmic artery inferiorly. Supporting context in the plate includes the skull, teeth, and cervical vertebrae, with the common and internal carotid arteries ascending in the neck and a corresponding superficial venous network mapped across the face. For clinicians working in the glabellar and medial brow region, this arterial course is not academic. In cosmetic filler injections, the supratrochlear artery can be a conduit for retrograde embolization into the ophthalmic circulation, with reported cases of acute vision loss after inadvertent intra-arterial injection near the glabella and nasal radix. Surgeons also track it during forehead flap planning, endoscopic brow lift portals, and repair of medial forehead lacerations where brisk bleeding can occur. Small vessel, big consequences. Educators can use this illustration in head and neck anatomy, plastic surgery, dermatology, and ophthalmology teaching to correlate surface landmarks with the supratrochlear vascular territory and its relationship to the orbit. It also suits atlas plates and clinical manuals discussing safe injection planes, scalp and forehead flap perfusion, or arterial supply patterns of the brow. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.