The Anatomical Structure of the Supraorbital Artery in a Human Male

Description

Arising from the ophthalmic artery, the supraorbital artery courses anteriorly within the orbit above the levator palpebrae superioris and emerges at the superior orbital margin through the supraorbital notch or supraorbital foramen. From that exit point it ascends in the forehead, running deep to the frontalis and then more superficially within the subcutaneous tissues where it travels superiorly and slightly laterally toward the scalp. Nearby relationships you would expect in this field include the supraorbital vein and the supraorbital nerve, with the vessel’s bony landmark anchored in the frontal bone at the junction of the medial and middle thirds of the orbital rim. Clear surface anatomy. Clinically, the artery’s passage through the notch or foramen matters because it marks a predictable neurovascular bundle that is targeted during supraorbital nerve blocks for forehead laceration repair, brow procedures, and perioperative analgesia in upper eyelid and frontal surgery. The same corridor is also where iatrogenic injury can occur during endoscopic brow lift dissection or deep glabellar injections, and where anatomic variation between a notch and a complete foramen changes the depth and protection of the vessel. Frontal scalp and periorbital hematomas follow these planes. Use this illustration for teaching head and neck vascular anatomy in gross anatomy, dental anesthesia, and oculoplastics modules, or for pairing with procedural texts on supraorbital blocks, brow lift approaches, and safe injection technique in the upper face. It also supports clinical communication when documenting lacerations and planning incisions along the superior orbital rim in emergency medicine and plastic surgery. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.