European Journal of Anatomy

Official Journal of The Spanish Society of Anatomy
Cover Volume 18 - Number 1
Eur J Anat, 18 (1): 21-25 (2014)

A study of supraorbital notch and foramen in North Indian human crania

Nishtha Singh1, Alok K. Singh2, Rakesh Gupta2, Syed H.H. Zaidi2 and Navneet S. Chauhan3

1Department of Anatomy, Moti Lal Nehru Medical College, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India, 2Department of Anatomy, Rohilkhand Medical College & Hospitals, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India and 3Department of Anatomy, Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India

ABSTRACT Anatomy of the supraorbital region is important to avoid injury to the supraorbital neurovascular bundle in carrying out craniofacial surgery and in supraorbital nerve block. Present study aims for detailed examination of adult human crania from north Indian region to ascertain the prevalence of supraorbital notch and foramen and their localization, along with comparison with globally available data. Seventy-one dry adult human crania from the north Indian region were observed for the presence of supraorbital notch or foramen, and their unilateral and bilateral prevalence were calculated. Distance of supraorbital notch or foramen was measured from the nasal midline and frontozygomatic suture. Data were compiled, tabulated and statistically analyzed.Prevalence of supraorbital foramen was 19.01%, out of which it was bilateral in 11.27%; while prevalence of the supraorbital notch was 80.99%, out of which it was bilateral in 73.24%. 7.75% cases had notch on one side and foramen on the other side. Mean perpendicular distance of the supraorbital notch or foramen from nasal midline was 24.64 ± 3.35 mm. on right side and 24.88 ± 2.63 mm. on left side, while mean distance of supraorbital notch or foramen from frontozygomatic suture was 30.94 ± 2.63 mm. on right side and 30.76 ± 2.70 mm. on left side, showing no significant difference between right and left side. We noticed that there are differences in prevalence and position of supraorbital notch or foramen in different global regions. The results of the present study will serve as a guide to surgeons carrying out craniofacial surgery and will also provide ethnic data for anthropologists and forensic experts about supraorbital notch and foramina.

Keywords: Supraorbital notch, Supraorbital foramen, Supraorbital nerve

European Journal of anatomy
ISSN 2340-311X (Online)