Previously undescribed palpebral branch from the infraorbital canal: Application to surgery of the eyelid and treatment of orbital floor fractures.
Publication Title
Clinical anatomy (New York, N.Y.)
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
9-1-2017
Keywords
Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Anatomic Landmarks; Blepharoplasty; Cadaver; Eyelids; Female; Humans; Male; Maxillary Nerve; Middle Aged; Orbit; Orbital Fractures; anatomy; blepharoplasty; cadaver; eyelids; fracture; maxillary nerve; orbit
Abstract
The sensory innervation of the inferior eyelid is mainly derived from the inferior palpebral branch (IPb) of the infraorbital nerve (ION). This study aimed to investigate another, to our knowledge, previously unknown branch, and elucidate its location and distribution. Twelve sides from seven fresh frozen cadaveric Caucasian heads were used in this study. The specimens were derived from two male and four female adult cadavers age. The diameter of the IPb of the ION (D1) and branch arising from the upper wall of the infraorbital canal (D2), and distance between the branching points of this branch and the anterior border of the orbit floor (L1) was measured. A branch to the lower eyelid was found arising from the infraorbital canal on the majority of sides. D1 ranged from 0.4 to 1.1 mm. The branch arising from the upper wall of the infraorbital canal was found 10 sides (83%). D2 ranged 0.6 to 1.0 mm. L1 ranged from 10.2 to 19.8 mm. All of the branches arising from the upper wall of the infraorbital canal (10 sides) primarily innervated to the inferior eyelid. We suggest this branch should be named the "posterior IPb" of the ION. Knowledge of this branch might decrease sensory loss following invasive procedures of the lower orbit. Clin. Anat. 30:835-838, 2017. © 2017Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Area of Special Interest
Neurosciences (Brain & Spine)
Specialty/Research Institute
Neurosciences
Specialty/Research Institute
Surgery
