Abstract
The present study was conducted to ascertain the shape, size, presence of accessory foramina, direction, and the precise position of the infraorbital foramen (IOF) in relation to the inferior orbital margin (IOM), anterior nasal spine (ANS), nasion (Na), maxillary teeth, and supraorbital foramen/notch (SOF/N) in adult skulls in a Sri Lankan population. Fifty-four skulls (42 males and 12 females) were analyzed. The IOF was oval in shape (38.6% and 36.3% on the right and left side, resp.) in a majority of skulls. The direction of the IOF was mostly medially downward (48.6%). Accessory foramina were found in 7.4% of the skulls. The infraorbital foramina were located at a mean distance of 6.52 ± 2.03 mm and 7.30 ± 1.57 mm, vertically below the IOM on the right and left side, respectively; 33.81 ± 2.68 mm and 34.23 ± 2.56 mm from the ANS on the right and left side, respectively; and 42.37 ± 3.52 mm and 42.52 ± 3.28 mm from the Na on the right and left side, respectively. In relation to the upper teeth the majority of IOF (37.5% and 55.9% on the right and left side, resp.) were located in the same vertical axis as the tip of the buccal cusp of the maxillary second premolar tooth.
Highlights
The infraorbital foramen (IOF) is located on the maxillary bone about 1 cm inferior to the infraorbital margin [1]
Results were expressed as means and SDs and the differences in the size and location of IOF between the left and right side and male and female were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), 19th version
The infraorbital nerve is the nerve of choice for regional nerve block when performing surgeries in the orbital, buccal, and nasal areas
Summary
The infraorbital foramen (IOF) is located on the maxillary bone about 1 cm inferior to the infraorbital margin [1]. The infraorbital nerve, the continuation of the maxillary or second division of the trigeminal nerve, is solely a sensory nerve. It traverses the inferior orbital fissure into the inferior orbital canal and emerges onto the face at the IOF. The infraorbital nerve block is widely used to accomplish regional anaesthesia during surgeries involving the midface region and paranasal sinuses [2, 3]. Detailed knowledge of the precise anatomical location and the possible variations of the IOF is fundamental to ensure safe and successful regional anaesthesia and to avoid the risk of damaging the neurovascular bundle during surgery in this region
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