Supraorbital and supratrochlear notches and foramina: anatomical variations and surgical relevance

The anatomy of the supraorbital and supratrochlear notches and foramina has been studied in 111 human skulls. Of 108 skulls, 49.07% had bilateral supraorbital notches, 25.93% had bilateral supraorbital foramina, and 25% had a notch on one side and a foramen on the other side. Of 101 skulls, 97.03% had bilateral supratrochlear notches, 0.99% had bilateral foramina, and 1.98% had a notch on one side and a foramen on the other side. The methods of study and clinical relevance are discussed, along with the varying nomenclature used in the literature for defining the supraorbital and supratrochlear structures. Knowledge of the anatomy of the region is important for those doing forehead and brow lift surgery in order to avoid injuring the neurovascular bundles passing through these notches and foramina.