Infraorbital groove

Not to be confused with inferior orbital fissure, infraorbital canal, or infraorbital foramen.

The infraorbital groove (or sulcus) is located in the middle of the posterior part of the orbital surface of the maxilla. Its function is to act as the passage of the infraorbital artery, the infraorbital vein, and the infraorbital nerve.

Infraorbital groove
Left maxilla. Outer surface. (Infra-orbital groove labeled at upper right.)
1 Foramen ethmoidale, 2 Canalis opticus, 3 Fissura orbitalis superior, 4 Fossa sacci lacrimalis, 5 Sulcus infraorbitalis, 6 Fissura orbitalis inferior, 7 Foramen infraorbitale
Details
Part of	Maxilla of skull
System	Skeletal
Identifiers
Latin	sulcus infraorbitalis maxillae
TA98	A02.1.12.005
TA2	760
FMA	57746
Anatomical terms of bone [edit on Wikidata]

Structure

The infraorbital groove begins at the middle of the posterior border of the maxilla (with which it is continuous).^[1] This is near the upper edge of the infratemporal surface of the maxilla. It passes forward, and ends in a canal which subdivides into two branches.

The infraorbital groove has an average length of 16.7 mm, with a small amount of variation between people.^[1] It is similar in men and women.^[1]

Function

The infraorbital groove creates space that allows for passage of the infraorbital artery, the infraorbital vein, and the infraorbital nerve.

Clinical significance

The infraorbital groove is an important surgical landmark for local anaesthesia of the infraorbital nerve.^[1]

See also

• Infraorbital foramen

Additional images

• 
  Horizontal section of nasal and orbital cavities. (Note distinction between infraorbital groove and inferior orbital fissure.)