Supraorbital Nerve, Gross Anatomy

Description

Anterior facial anatomy is rendered with the supraorbital nerve (a terminal branch of the frontal nerve from V1, ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve) emerging at the superior orbital margin near the supraorbital notch or foramen and then coursing superiorly into the forehead and anterior scalp. Its superficial branches travel deep to the frontalis and within the subcutaneous tissues, spreading superomedially and superolaterally across the frontal region toward the vertex. Surrounding landmarks include the orbicularis oculi encircling the palpebral fissure, the frontalis superiorly, and the bony contours of the frontal bone, nasal bones, maxilla, and mandible inferiorly; adjacent vascular companions are suggested by the supraorbital artery and vein tracking in parallel. For regional anesthesia and pain procedures, this view clarifies where the nerve becomes accessible: at the supraorbital rim just medial to the midpupillary line, before it divides into superficial and deep branches. Small distances matter here. Supraorbital neuralgia, post-traumatic neuropathy after forehead lacerations, and postoperative dysesthesia following brow lift or frontal craniotomy often trace back to traction, entrapment, or transection along this course, and the illustration helps distinguish the supraorbital territory from the more medial supratrochlear distribution. Use this artwork in head and neck anatomy teaching (trigeminal sensory territories, scalp innervation), emergency medicine and anesthesia materials on supraorbital nerve block technique, and surgical texts covering upper blepharoplasty, brow lift, and frontal sinus approaches where nerve preservation guides incision placement. It also suits patient-facing counseling graphics for migraine trigger-point injections and treatment planning around the supraorbital notch/foramen. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.