Supraorbital Artery, Anterior View

Description

Emerging from the orbit to the forehead, the supraorbital artery is shown coursing superiorly from the supraorbital notch or foramen of the frontal bone, just medial to the lateral end of the superciliary arch. It ascends within the superficial tissues of the forehead, where it typically divides into superficial and deep branches that travel superiorly toward the anterior scalp, accompanied by venae comitantes. Bilaterally, the facial arterial pattern is suggested by the common and internal carotid arteries in the neck giving rise to the external carotid system, with adjacent venous channels rendered in blue against the bony orbit, nasal aperture, and maxilla. Small-caliber arterioles and superficial vessels form a dense network over the frontal region. Anterior presentation of the supraorbital artery matters because this vessel and the supraorbital nerve share the same exit point, a compact landmark used for regional anesthesia, endoscopic brow procedures, and forehead laceration repair. Miss the notch and bleeding becomes brisk. In cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, its predictable vertical course explains why deep injections in the glabellar and supraorbital region carry risk, and why the artery supports local flaps such as paramedian forehead reconstructions for nasal defects. Use this artwork in head and neck anatomy teaching for medical, dental, and PA curricula when introducing the ophthalmic artery branches of the internal carotid circulation and their surface landmarks. It also fits surgical atlases and patient-education materials that address supraorbital nerve blocks, forehead trauma, or flap planning in otolaryngology, plastic surgery, and maxillofacial practice. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.