Clinical significance and morphometric analysis of the periorbital foramina

The location of the frontal (FF), supraorbital (SOF), and infraorbital (IOF) foramina relative to frequently encountered anatomic landmarks in (Turkish) dry skulls were determined, with measurements taken from both sides of 45 dry skulls. The width and lengths of the left and right FF were 2.8 and 3.1 mm, and 1.9 and 2.2 mm, respectively: the widths and lengths of the SOF and IOF were 2.9 and 2.1 mm, and 3.7 and 3.9 mm. The distances from the center of the FF and SOF to the nasal midline were 19.3 mm and 25.8 mm; from the FF to the angulus oculi medialis 7.6 mm on the left and 6.4 mm on the right; from the SOF to the angulus oculi medialis 12.6 mm: from the center of FF to the center of the SOF 9.2 mm; from the center of the SOF to the temporal crest of the frontal bone 26.1 mm; from the center of the IOF to the nasal midline, maxillary midline, infraorbital margin, and zygomaticomaxillar suture 46.8, 27.2, 7.3, 10.2 mm respectively; between the superior walls of the infraorbital and supraorbital foramina 45.4 mm. The IOF was classified as oval, round, or semilunar, whereas the location of the FF, SOF, and IOF were graded I of VI in relation to the roots of the maxillary teeth. Accessory SOF and IOF were observed on both the left and right sides. The angle subtended by a line through the anterior nasal spine and IOF and the horizontal plane (AIOF) was 30.5 degrees on the left and 32.5 degrees on the right. A new parameter, the naso-orbital angle, was 72.1 degrees on the left and 70 degrees on the right and can be used to locate the relative positions of the SOF and IOF. The data presented here will help in the planning of surgical procedures and the application of local anesthetics. © 2006 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc