infraorbital groove
{{Short description|Bony groove in the maxilla of the skull}}
{{Distinguish|inferior orbital fissure|infraorbital canal|infraorbital foramen}}
{{Infobox bone
| Name = Infraorbital groove
| Latin = sulcus infraorbitalis maxillae
| Image = Gray157.png
| Caption = Left maxilla. Outer surface. (Infra-orbital groove labeled at upper right.)
| Image2 = Orbita mensch.jpg
| Caption2 = 1 Foramen ethmoidale, 2 Canalis opticus, 3 Fissura orbitalis superior, 4 Fossa sacci lacrimalis, 5 Sulcus infraorbitalis, 6 Fissura orbitalis inferior, 7 Foramen infraorbitale
|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).{{Cite journal|last=Hwang|first=Se Hwan|last2=Kim|first2=Sung Won|last3=Park|first3=Chan Soon|last4=Kim|first4=Soo Whan|last5=Cho|first5=Jin Hee|last6=Kang|first6=Jun Myung|date=2013-09-01|title=Morphometric analysis of the infraorbital groove, canal, and foramen on three-dimensional reconstruction of computed tomography scans|url=https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-013-1077-5|journal=Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy|language=en|volume=35|issue=7|pages=565–571|doi=10.1007/s00276-013-1077-5|issn=1279-8517|url-access=subscription}} 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
Additional images
File:Gray191.png|Horizontal section of nasal and orbital cavities. (Note distinction between infraorbital groove and inferior orbital fissure.)
References
{{Gray's}}
External links
- {{SUNYAnatomyLabs|29|os|05|07}}
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