Infra-orbital artery

At a glance

English

Infra-orbital artery

Latin (TA2)

Arteria infraorbitalis

System

Artery

Region

Head

Side

Paired, left and right

About the infra-orbital artery

The infra-orbital artery arises from the third, pterygopalatine part of the maxillary artery and looks, from its direction, like the continuation of the main trunk. Often the posterior superior alveolar artery springs from a stem shared with it. It travels with the infra-orbital nerve along its whole route, from the deep face to the cheek.

From the pterygopalatine fossa it enters the orbit through the inferior orbital fissure. It then runs forwards in the infra-orbital groove on the floor of the orbit, which is also the roof of the maxillary sinus, and the groove turns into the infra-orbital canal. The vessel comes out on the face through the infra-orbital foramen, about 1 cm below the lower rim of the orbit, lying deep to the infra-orbital head of levator labii superioris.

Inside the orbit and canal it gives orbital branches to the lacrimal sac and to the inferior rectus and oblique muscles, and the anterior superior alveolar arteries, which descend in small canals in the front wall of the maxilla to the upper canines and incisors and to the lining of the maxillary sinus. Once on the face its branches spread in three directions. Some climb to the inner corner of the eye and the lacrimal sac, where they meet the angular artery of the facial artery. Others go towards the nose and meet the ophthalmic artery's dorsal nasal branch. The rest run downwards between levator labii superioris and levator anguli oris to the upper lip and cheek, joining the facial, transverse facial and buccal arteries.

Through these connections the artery helps link the external and internal carotid territories around the eye. It is at risk in fractures of the orbital floor and of the cheekbone, which often break through the infra-orbital groove and also numb the skin of the cheek by injuring the nerve. Injections at the infra-orbital foramen to block the nerve, and cosmetic filler placed in the area, must allow for the vessel to avoid bleeding or blockage.

Course and supply

Arises from

Third (pterygopalatine) part of the maxillary artery, often sharing a stem with the posterior superior alveolar branch.

Ends in

Emerges at the infra-orbital foramen and ends in facial branches to the lower eyelid, side of the nose, cheek and upper lip.

Supplies

Supplies the lacrimal sac, inferior rectus and inferior oblique, the upper front teeth and maxillary sinus lining, and the skin and muscles of the lower eyelid, cheek, side of the nose and upper lip.