Supraorbital and supratrochlear notches and foramina: anatomical variations and surgical relevance

TLDR

The anatomy of supraorbital and supratrochlear notches and foramina is clinically relevant for forehead and brow lift procedures, where accurate knowledge helps avoid neurovascular injury, and terminology varies across studies. The study examined 111 human skulls to document the presence and distribution of supraorbital and supratrochlear notches and foramina. Bilateral supraorbital notches were present in 49.07% of skulls, bilateral supraorbital foramina in 25.93%, and mixed notch–foramen configurations in 25%; supratrochlear notches were nearly universal (97.03% bilateral), while bilateral foramina and mixed configurations were rare (0.99% and 1.98%, respectively).

Abstract

Abstract The anatomy of the supraorbital and supratrochlear notches and foramina has been studied in 111 human skulls. Of 108 skulls, 49.07% had bilateral supraorbital notches, 25.93% had bilateral supraorbital foramina, and 25% had a notch on one side and a foramen on the other side. Of 101 skulls, 97.03% had bilateral supratrochlear notches, 0.99% had bilateral foramina, and 1.98% had a notch on one side and a foramen on the other side. The methods of study and clinical relevance are discussed, along with the varying nomenclature used in the literature for defining the supraorbital and supratrochlear structures. Knowledge of the anatomy of the region is important for those doing forehead and brow lift surgery in order to avoid injuring the neurovascular bundles passing through these notches and foramina.