The supraorbital artery is a branch of the
ophthalmic artery
The ophthalmic artery (OA) is an artery of the head. It is the first branch of the internal carotid artery distal to the cavernous sinus. Branches of the ophthalmic artery supply all the structures in the orbit around the eye, as well as some st ...
. It passes anteriorly within the orbit to exit the orbit through the
supraorbital foramen or notch alongside the
supraorbital nerve, splitting into two terminal branches which go on to form anastomoses with arteries of the head.
Structure
Origin
The supraorbital artery arises from the ophthalmic artery.
Course and relations
It travels anteriorly in the orbit by passing superior to the eye and medial to the
superior rectus
The superior rectus muscle is a muscle in the orbit. It is one of the extraocular muscles. It is innervated by the superior division of the oculomotor nerve (III). In the primary position (looking straight ahead), its primary function is elevatio ...
and
levator palpebrae superioris
The levator palpebrae superioris ( la, elevating muscle of upper eyelid) is the muscle in the orbit that elevates the upper eyelid.
Structure
The levator palpebrae superioris originates from inferior surface of the lesser wing of the sphenoid bo ...
. It then joins the supraorbital nerve to jointly pass between the periosteum of the roof of the orbit and the levator palpebrae superioris towards the
supraorbital foramen or notch.
After passing through the
supraorbital foramen or notch, it often splits into a superficial branch and a deep branch.
Distribution
The supraorbital artery contributes arterial supply to: the
superior rectus muscle
The superior rectus muscle is a muscle in the orbit. It is one of the extraocular muscles. It is innervated by the superior division of the oculomotor nerve (III). In the primary position (looking straight ahead), its primary function is elevatio ...
,
superior oblique muscle
The superior oblique muscle, or obliquus oculi superior, is a fusiform muscle originating in the upper, medial side of the orbit (i.e. from beside the nose) which abducts, depresses and internally rotates the eye. It is the only extraocular musc ...
,
levator palpebrae
The levator palpebrae superioris ( la, elevating muscle of upper eyelid) is the muscle in the orbit that elevates the upper eyelid.
Structure
The levator palpebrae superioris originates from inferior surface of the lesser wing of the sphenoid bon ...
muscles,
periorbita
The periorbita is the area around the orbit. Sometimes it refers specifically to the layer of tissue surrounding the orbit that consists of periosteum. However, it may refer to anything that is around the orbit, such as in periorbital cellulitis
...
,
the
diploë of the
frontal bone
The frontal bone is a bone in the human skull. The bone consists of two portions.''Gray's Anatomy'' (1918) These are the vertically oriented squamous part, and the horizontally oriented orbital part, making up the bony part of the forehead, par ...
,
frontal sinus
The frontal sinuses are one of the four pairs of paranasal sinuses that are situated behind the brow ridges. Sinuses are mucosa-lined airspaces within the bones of the face and skull. Each opens into the anterior part of the corresponding middle na ...
, upper
eyelid
An eyelid is a thin fold of skin that covers and protects an eye. The levator palpebrae superioris muscle retracts the eyelid, exposing the cornea to the outside, giving vision. This can be either voluntarily or involuntarily. The human eyel ...
, and the skin and musculature of the
forehead and
scalp
The scalp is the anatomical area bordered by the human face at the front, and by the neck at the sides and back.
Structure
The scalp is usually described as having five layers, which can conveniently be remembered as a mnemonic:
* S: The ski ...
.
Anastomoses
Its terminal branches anastomose with the
supratrochlear artery, frontal branch of
superficial temporal artery
In human anatomy, the superficial temporal artery is a major artery of the head. It arises from the external carotid artery when it splits into the superficial temporal artery and maxillary artery.
Its pulse can be felt above the zygomatic arch ...
, and the contralateral supraorbital artery.
Variation
This artery may be absent in 10% to 20% of individuals.
[Dutton JJ: Osteology of the orbit. In ''Atlas of clinical and surgical orbital anatomy,'' Philadelphia, 1994, WB Saunders]
Additional images
File:Gray508.png, The arteries of the face and scalp.
File:Gray515.png, Bloodvessels of the eyelids, front view.
File:Slide3h.JPG, supraorbital artery
References
{{Authority control
Arteries of the head and neck