Infraorbital groove explained

Infraorbital groove
Latin:	sulcus infraorbitalis maxillae
Partof:	Maxilla of skull
System:	Skeletal

The infraorbital groove (or sulcus) is located in the middle of the posterior part of the orbital surface of the maxilla. Its function is to act as the passage of the infraorbital artery, the infraorbital vein, and the infraorbital nerve.

Structure

The infraorbital groove begins at the middle of the posterior border of the maxilla (with which it is continuous).^[1] This is near the upper edge of the infratemporal surface of the maxilla. It passes forward, and ends in a canal which subdivides into two branches.

The infraorbital groove has an average length of 16.7 mm, with a small amount of variation between people. It is similar in men and women.

Function

The infraorbital groove creates space that allows for passage of the infraorbital artery, the infraorbital vein, and the infraorbital nerve.

Clinical significance

The infraorbital groove is an important surgical landmark for local anaesthesia of the infraorbital nerve.

See also

• Infraorbital foramen

References

1. Hwang. Se Hwan. Kim. Sung Won. Park. Chan Soon. Kim. Soo Whan. Cho. Jin Hee. Kang. Jun Myung. 2013-09-01. Morphometric analysis of the infraorbital groove, canal, and foramen on three-dimensional reconstruction of computed tomography scans. Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy. en. 35. 7. 565–571. 10.1007/s00276-013-1077-5. 1279-8517. subscription.