Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 11, 2026
Midface Hypoplasia and Cranial Base Morphology in Syndromic Craniosynostosis: A Comparative Analysis Study Using a Predictive Regression Model
Published on: November 4, 2025
A morphometric analysis of supraorbital and infraorbital foramina relative to surgical landmarks
Bruno Ramos Chrcanovic1, Mauro Henrique Nogueira Guimarães Abreu, Antônio Luís Neto Custódio
1brunochrcanovic@hotmail.com
Purpose:
The aim of the study was to examine the different morphometric variations of the supraorbital and infraorbital foramina of the facial skeleton on human skulls.
Methods:
Eighty adult human dry skulls were studied. Measurements were made to analyze the degree of variability in the location of the supraorbital and infraorbital foramina. All measurements were done bilaterally. Variations were evaluated according to gender and side.
Results:
There were 54 female and 26 male crania. Almost all mean measurements were longer in males than in females. A statistically significant difference was observed between the left and the right sides in 4 of 10 measurements. When comparing the morphometric measurements between left and right sides of male and female crania, 6 of 22 measurements were statistically higher in men than in women.
Conclusions:
The findings suggest that gender should be taken into account when the foramina studied here are to be located. The mean location of the infraorbital nerve was about 6.5 mm inferior to the inferior orbital rim (at the point where one can palpate the zygomatico-maxillary suture), about 25 mm from the midline, and about 43 mm below the supraorbital foramen in the same vertical line. Extra care should be taken during surgical dissection in the superior orbital region especially in the middle aspect of the superior orbital rim. In general, there were changes in measurements between the genders, but the ratios of these measurements with the horizontal and vertical measurements chosen remained the same between the genders.
Related Concept Videos
01:14Cranial Bones: Superior and Posterior View
The frontal bone is the single bone that forms the forehead. At its anterior midline, between the eyebrows, there is a slight depression called the glabella. The frontal bone also forms the supraorbital margin of the orbit. Near the middle of this margin is the supraorbital foramen, the opening that provides passage for a sensory nerve to the forehead. The frontal bone is thickened just above each supraorbital margin,...
01:27Cranial Bones: Lateral View
The temporal bone forms the lower lateral side of the skull. The temporal bone is subdivided into several regions. The flattened upper portion is the squamous portion of the temporal bone. Below this area and projecting anteriorly is the zygomatic process of the temporal bone, which forms the posterior portion of the zygomatic arch. Posteriorly is the mastoid portion of the temporal bone. Projecting...