The Prevalence of Supraorbital Foramina and Notches among Different Populations, Sexes, and Sides

Abstract

Information regarding the prevalence of supraorbital foramina and notches among sexes of certain populations remains incomplete. This study examined images of 634 right‐sided orbits and 642 left‐sided orbits obtained from the University of Pennsylvania Online ORSA database for the presence of supraorbital foramina and supraorbital notches. Orbits were from the following geographic groups: Peruvians, Egyptians, Africans, East Asians, Malayans, Mexicans, Europeans, and Bengali. Overall, notches were most prevalent (55.3%). Malayan and Mexican populations had a higher prevalence of foramina (53.5% and 50.0%, respectively) relative to all other geographic groups which had a higher prevalence of notches. Females were found to have a higher prevalence of foramina than males (36.4% vs. 32.0%) while males were found to have a higher prevalence of notches than females (55.6% vs 51.7%). Foramina were found most often on the right side (35.3% vs. 30.0%), while notches were found more often on the left side (61.4% vs 49.2%). The right side also showed a higher prevalence of concomitant ipsilateral supraorbital foramina and supraorbital notches (15.4% vs. 10.0%).Support or Funding InformationWV Research Challenge Fund [HEPC.dsr.14.13]