Infraorbital groove

Infraorbital groove is a structure found in the maxilla, one of the facial bones. It is a groove in the maxilla that carries the infraorbital nerve and vessels. The infraorbital groove leads to the infraorbital canal.

Etymology

The term "infraorbital" is derived from Latin, with "infra" meaning "below" and "orbital" referring to the "eye socket". "Groove" is derived from the Old English "grafan", meaning "to dig".

Anatomy

The infraorbital groove is located in the maxilla, below the orbit, which houses the eye. It carries the infraorbital nerve, a branch of the maxillary nerve, and the infraorbital vessels, which supply blood to the areas around the eye and upper face.

The groove begins at the middle of the floor of the orbit and runs obliquely forward, ending in the infraorbital canal. The canal then opens onto the face at the infraorbital foramen.

Clinical significance

The infraorbital groove is an important landmark in surgeries involving the midface, such as orthognathic surgery. Damage to the infraorbital nerve during surgery can lead to numbness or pain in the areas of the face supplied by the nerve.

Related terms

• Infraorbital canal
• Infraorbital foramen
• Maxillary nerve
• Orbit (anatomy)

See also

• Maxilla
• Facial bones
• Orthognathic surgery

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  Diagram of the human skull showing the infraorbital groove

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  Anatomy of the human orbit

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  Illustration of the maxillary sinus and surrounding structures