Infraorbital artery
Encyclopedia
The infraorbital artery is an artery
in the head that runs in the maxilla
, emerging through the infraorbital foramen
, just under the orbit
of the eye.
.
It runs along the infraorbital groove
and canal with the infraorbital nerve
, and emerges on the face through the infraorbital foramen
, beneath the infraorbital head of the levator labii superioris
muscle.
On the face, some branches pass upward to the medial angle of the orbit and the lacrimal sac, anastomosing with the angular artery
, a branch of the facial artery
; others run toward the nose, anastomosing with the dorsal nasal branch of the ophthalmic artery
; and others descend between the levator labii superioris
and the levator anguli oris
, and anastomose with the facial artery
, transverse facial artery
, and buccal artery.
The four remaining branches arise from that portion of the maxillary artery which is contained in the pterygopalatine fossa
.
Artery
Arteries are blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart. This blood is normally oxygenated, exceptions made for the pulmonary and umbilical arteries....
in the head that runs in the maxilla
Maxilla
The maxilla is a fusion of two bones along the palatal fissure that form the upper jaw. This is similar to the mandible , which is also a fusion of two halves at the mental symphysis. Sometimes The maxilla (plural: maxillae) is a fusion of two bones along the palatal fissure that form the upper...
, emerging through the infraorbital foramen
Infraorbital foramen
Above the canine fossa is the infraorbital foramen, the end of the infraorbital canal; it transmits the infraorbital artery, vein, and infraorbital nerve.-External links: *...
, just under the orbit
Orbit (anatomy)
In anatomy, the orbit is the cavity or socket of the skull in which the eye and its appendages are situated. "Orbit" can refer to the bony socket, or it can also be used to imply the contents...
of the eye.
Course
The infraorbital artery appears, from its direction, to be the continuation of the trunk of the maxillary artery, but often arises in conjunction with the posterior superior alveolar arteryPosterior superior alveolar artery
The posterior superior alveolar artery is given off from the maxillary, frequently in conjunction with the infraorbital artery just as the trunk of the vessel is passing into the pterygopalatine fossa.-Branches:...
.
It runs along the infraorbital groove
Infraorbital groove
Not to be confused with the inferior orbital fissure, which is just lateral to the infraorbital groove.Also not to be confused with the infraorbital canal, into which the groove enters, nor the infraorbital foramen, which is the canal's opening on the other side.Near the middle of the posterior...
and canal with the infraorbital nerve
Infraorbital nerve
After the maxillary nerve enters the infraorbital canal, the nerve is frequently called the infraorbital nerve. This nerve innervates the lower eyelid, upper lip, and part of the nasal vestibule and exits the infraorbital foramen of the maxilla.-See also:...
, and emerges on the face through the infraorbital foramen
Infraorbital foramen
Above the canine fossa is the infraorbital foramen, the end of the infraorbital canal; it transmits the infraorbital artery, vein, and infraorbital nerve.-External links: *...
, beneath the infraorbital head of the levator labii superioris
Levator labii superioris
The levator labii superioris is a muscle of the human body used in facial expression. It is a broad sheet, the origin of which extends from the side of the nose to the zygomatic bone....
muscle.
Branches
While in the canal, it gives off- (a) orbital branches which assist in supplying the rectus inferior and inferior oblique and the lacrimal sacLacrimal sacThe lacrimal sac is the upper dilated end of the nasolacrimal duct, and is lodged in a deep groove formed by the lacrimal bone and frontal process of the maxilla...
, and - (b) anterior superior alveolar arteriesAnterior superior alveolar arteriesThe anterior superior alveolar arteries originate from the infraorbital artery; they supply the upper incisors and canines; they also supply the mucous membrane of the maxillary sinus.-See also:* Posterior superior alveolar artery...
- branches which descend through the anterior alveolar canals to supply the upper incisorIncisorIncisors are the first kind of tooth in heterodont mammals. They are located in the premaxilla above and mandible below.-Function:...
and canine teeth and the mucous membraneMucous membraneThe mucous membranes are linings of mostly endodermal origin, covered in epithelium, which are involved in absorption and secretion. They line cavities that are exposed to the external environment and internal organs...
of the maxillary sinusMaxillary sinusThe pyramid shaped maxillary sinus is the largest of the paranasal sinuses, and drains into the nose. It is present at birth as rudimentary air cells, and develops throughout childhood.-General characteristics:...
.
On the face, some branches pass upward to the medial angle of the orbit and the lacrimal sac, anastomosing with the angular artery
Angular artery
The angular artery is the terminal part of the facial artery; it ascends to the medial angle of the eye's orbit, imbedded in the fibers of the angular head of the Quadratus labii superioris, and accompanied by the angular vein....
, a branch of the facial artery
Facial artery
The facial artery is a branch of the external carotid artery that supplies structures of the superficial face.-Structure:...
; others run toward the nose, anastomosing with the dorsal nasal branch of the ophthalmic artery
Ophthalmic artery
The ophthalmic artery is the first branch of the internal carotid artery distal to the cavernous sinus. Branches of the OA supply all the structures in the orbit as well as some structures in the nose, face and meninges...
; and others descend between the levator labii superioris
Levator labii superioris
The levator labii superioris is a muscle of the human body used in facial expression. It is a broad sheet, the origin of which extends from the side of the nose to the zygomatic bone....
and the levator anguli oris
Levator anguli oris
The levator anguli oris is a facial muscle of the mouth arising from the canine fossa, immediately below the infraorbital foramen....
, and anastomose with the facial artery
Facial artery
The facial artery is a branch of the external carotid artery that supplies structures of the superficial face.-Structure:...
, transverse facial artery
Transverse facial artery
The transverse facial artery is an artery that branches from the superficial temporal artery and runs across the face.-Course:The transverse facial artery is given off from the superficial temporal artery before that vessel leaves the parotid gland; running forward through the substance of the...
, and buccal artery.
The four remaining branches arise from that portion of the maxillary artery which is contained in the pterygopalatine fossa
Pterygopalatine fossa
The pterygopalatine fossa is a fossa in the skull. It is the indented area medial to the pterygomaxillary fissure leading into the sphenopalatine foramen.-Boundaries:It has the following boundaries:...
.