Infrapalpebral Sulcus

Description

Situated immediately inferior to the lower eyelid margin, the infrapalpebral (subpalpebral) sulcus forms a shallow transverse groove that parallels the palpebral fissure and tracks from the medial canthus toward the lateral canthus. Superior to the sulcus lie the ciliary margin, the pretarsal skin, and the lower tarsal plate beneath orbicularis oculi; inferiorly the skin transitions onto the upper cheek over the infraorbital rim. Medially, the groove approaches the lacrimal sac region and the medial palpebral ligament, while laterally it blends toward the lateral palpebral raphe at the orbital rim. Surface anatomy matters here. Clinicians often correlate this sulcus with the tear trough deformity (nasojugal groove) and with age related changes in periorbital fat compartments, where descent of the malar fat pad and laxity of the orbital septum make the sulcus more conspicuous. During lower blepharoplasty, transconjunctival approaches and skin muscle flaps are planned around this landmark to avoid overresection that can worsen hollowing or cause lower lid retraction. Injectable filler placement along the infraorbital rim also depends on recognizing the sulcus and staying mindful of the infraorbital foramen and neurovascular bundle, which sit inferolateral to the medial limbus in typical surface projections. Use this image in facial anatomy curricula, oculoplastics and blepharoplasty teaching files, or aesthetic medicine references discussing periorbital aging in a female patient. It also fits dermatology and clinical photography guides when standardizing terminology for periorbital folds and grooves in women. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.