Supraorbital artery: course in the forehead and precautions
- Artery
- Highlighted area
Quick facts
- Origin
- Branch of the ophthalmic artery, inside the orbit.
- Exit from the orbit
- Through the supraorbital foramen or notch, on the upper border of the orbit, usually near the line of the pupil.
- Course
- Rises through the forehead, first in a deep plane and then increasingly superficial, toward the scalp.
- Neighboring structures
- Supraorbital nerve (sensation of the forehead), frontalis and corrugator muscles.
- Relevance in facial harmonization
- Risk territory in forehead and eyebrow filler, linked to the circulation of the eye.
The supraorbital artery is a branch of the ophthalmic artery that leaves the orbit over its upper border, through the supraorbital foramen or notch, and rises through the forehead to the scalp. It travels alongside the supraorbital nerve, which supplies sensation to the forehead. In facial harmonization (known in Brazil as HOF, orofacial harmonization), it matters in forehead and eyebrow filler, because it links that region to the circulation of the eye.
What is the course of the supraorbital artery?
Inside the orbit, the artery runs along the roof, above the levator muscle of the upper eyelid. It leaves the orbit through the supraorbital foramen or notch, located on the upper border of the orbit, usually near a vertical line that passes through the pupil, with variation between people and between sides.
In the forehead, the course changes depth:
| Segment | Approximate depth | Nearby structures |
|---|---|---|
| Just above the orbital rim | Deep, against the bone, under the muscles | Corrugator, orbicularis oculi |
| Middle of the forehead | Begins to pass through the frontalis muscle | Branches of the supraorbital nerve |
| Upper forehead and scalp | Superficial, in the subcutaneous tissue | Branches of the superficial temporal artery |
The artery usually has a superficial and a deep branch, and communicates with the supratrochlear artery on the medial side, with the artery of the opposite side and with the frontal branch of the superficial temporal artery. Published figures for distance and depth vary between studies and do not replace the assessment of each patient.
What is the supraorbital foramen?
It is the passage through which the artery and the nerve leave the orbit. In some people it is a closed foramen; in others, an open notch in the bony rim. It can usually be palpated as a small depression. The supraorbital nerve, a branch of the trigeminal nerve, is the target of anesthetic blocks of the forehead, and irritating it can cause transient numbness or tingling in the forehead.
Why does it matter in facial harmonization?
- Forehead and eyebrow filler: the artery is part of the ophthalmic artery system. Product injected into it can travel against the flow and reach the circulation of the eye.
- Botulinum toxin in the forehead: there is no risk of occlusion from the product, but the needle can hit branches and cause a bruise, more common in the eyebrow region.
- Anatomy that changes with age: volume loss and brow descent alter the visual reference of the orbital rim.
Technique, plane and choice of instrument are decisions for the qualified professional, according to the rules of their professional council in Brazil.
How does it show up in the assessment?
Palpate the upper border of the orbit to identify the notch, observe the position of the eyebrow at rest and in motion, and record previous fillers or surgeries in the forehead. The anatomy of the region is covered in the areas forehead lines and eyebrow.
Also called: arteria supraorbitalis, supraorbital artery of the forehead.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the supraorbital foramen?
On the upper border of the orbit, usually near a vertical line that passes through the pupil. In many people it is a notch (an open groove) rather than a closed foramen, and it can be palpated as a small depression.
Can the supraorbital artery be hit when injecting toxin in the forehead?
Toxin does not cause occlusion the way filler does, but the needle can hit a vessel and cause a bruise. The greater vascular risk in the region is with fillers, because of the artery's link to the circulation of the eye.