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Supraorbital artery
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The supraorbital artery stems from the ophthalmic artery in the superomedial aspect of the orbit. It leaves the orbit through the supraorbital groove and emerges onto the forehead. It terminates by dividing into two terminal branches; superficial and deep.
The supraorbital artery supplies the periosteum of the frontal bone, the skin of the forehead, as well as the superior rectus and levator palpebrae superioris muscles. Its terminal branches form anastomotic networks with their contralateral counterparts; the supratrochlear and superficial temporal arteries.
This article will discuss the anatomy and function of the supraorbital artery.
| Origin | Ophthalmic artery |
| Branches | Superficial branch, deep branch |
| Supply | Periosteum of the frontal bone, skin of the forehead, superior rectus, levator palpebrae superioris muscle |
Course
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The supraorbital artery originates from the ophthalmic artery in the orbital fossa. Immediately after branching off, it crosses the optic nerve then runs anterolaterally along the medial border of the levator palpebrae superioris and superior rectus muscles.
The artery exits the orbit through the supraorbital foramen (supraorbital groove) and emerges onto the forehead. Upon reaching the superciliary arch of the frontal bone, it divides into two terminal branches (superficial and deep) that spread across the frontal periosteum.
Branches and supply
The supraorbital artery has two terminal branches; superficial and deep. These branches supply the periosteum of the frontal bone and the adjacent skin. Additionally, they supply the muscles of the eye and upper eyelid, including superior rectus and levator palpebrae superioris muscles.
The supraorbital artery forms anastomoses with its contralateral counterpart, the supratrochlear and superficial temporal arteries.
Learn more about the blood vessels of the orbit with our articles, videos, labeled diagrams and quizzes.
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