Location of supraorbital foramen/notch and infraorbital foramen with reference to soft- and hard-tissue landmarks.

The purpose of the present study was to determine the locations of the supraorbital foramen (SOF) and the infraorbital foramen (IOF) relative to soft- and hard-tissue landmarks. It will provide more accurate data for dental and facial surgery. Twenty embalmed adult cadavers (40 sides; 16 men, 4 women) were dissected to expose the SOFs and IOFs, and another 46 skulls (92 sides) were also measured for further study. The locations of the SOFs and IOFs were evaluated with direct and photographic measurements. The data gained were analyzed by statistical method. The horizontal distances between the SOFs/IOFs and the medial canthus to the distance between the medial canthus and the lateral canthus ratios have been measured, and their confidence intervals are 0.22 to 0.31 and 0.34 to 0.49, respectively, and their linear regression equations are EF = 0.58 CF + 25.02 (unit: mm) and EF = 0.51 DG + 24.20 (unit: mm). The vertical distance between IOFs/SOFs and the medial/lateral canthi are 25.09 ± 3.36 mm/23.91 ± 3.31 mm and 25.75 ± 3.34 mm/26.93 ± 3.88 mm, respectively. The horizontal angle between IOFs/SOFs and the medial/lateral canthi are 72.54 ± 7.13 degrees, 66.77 ± 5.17 degrees, 47.45 ± 6.57 degrees, 54.69 ± 8.38 degrees, respectively. Based on the hard tissues, The SOF localized 20.55 ± 3.24 mm medial and 13.78 ± 2.60 mm superior to the zygomaticofrontal suture. And the horizontal angle between them is 56.04 ± 6.87 degrees. The IOF localized 18.52 ± 2.30 mm medial and 30.79 ± 3.29 inferior to the zygomaticofrontal suture. The horizontal angle between them is 31.06 ± 4.33 degrees. We also found that most (96.81%) of the IOFs were located below the middle line of the zygomatic arch. These results may provide more detailed information about the locations of SOF and IOF. And they will facilitate prediction of the locations of IOF and SOF in clinical procedure.