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AnatomyHead and neckFace and scalpSupraorbital artery
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AnatomyHead and neckFace and scalpSupraorbital artery

Supraorbital artery

Author: Roberto Grujičić, MD • Reviewer: Nicola McLaren, MSc
Last reviewed: July 12, 2023
Reading time: 2 minutes

Recommended video: Blood vessels of the orbit [13:26]
Arteries and veins of the orbit.
Supraorbital artery (Arteria supraorbitalis)

The supraorbital artery stems from the ophthalmic artery in the superomedial aspect of the orbit. It leaves the orbit through the supraorbital groove and emerges onto the forehead. It terminates by dividing into two terminal branches; superficial and deep. 

The supraorbital artery supplies the periosteum of the frontal bone, the skin of the forehead, as well as the superior rectus and levator palpebrae superioris muscles. Its terminal branches form anastomotic networks with their contralateral counterparts; the supratrochlear and superficial temporal arteries.

This article will discuss the anatomy and function of the supraorbital artery.

Key facts about the supraorbital artery
Origin Ophthalmic artery
Branches Superficial branch, deep branch 
Supply Periosteum of the frontal bone, skin of the forehead, superior rectus, levator palpebrae superioris muscle
Contents
  1. Course
  2. Branches and supply
  3. Sources
+ Show all

Course

Supraorbital artery
Arteria supraorbitalis
1/4
Synonyms: none

The supraorbital artery originates from the ophthalmic artery in the orbital fossa. Immediately after branching off, it crosses the optic nerve  then runs anterolaterally along the medial border of the levator palpebrae superioris and superior rectus muscles.

The artery exits the orbit through the supraorbital foramen (supraorbital groove) and emerges onto the forehead. Upon reaching the superciliary arch of the frontal bone, it divides into two terminal branches (superficial and deep) that spread across the frontal periosteum.

Branches and supply

The supraorbital artery has two terminal branches; superficial and deep. These branches supply the periosteum of the frontal bone and the adjacent skin. Additionally, they supply the muscles of the eye and upper eyelid, including superior rectus and levator palpebrae superioris muscles. 

The supraorbital artery forms anastomoses with its contralateral counterpart, the supratrochlear and superficial temporal arteries. 

Learn more about the blood vessels of the orbit with our articles, videos, labeled diagrams and quizzes.

Neurovasculature of the orbit Explore study unit

Sources

All content published on Kenhub is reviewed by medical and anatomy experts. The information we provide is grounded on academic literature and peer-reviewed research. Kenhub does not provide medical advice. You can learn more about our content creation and review standards by reading our content quality guidelines.

References

  • Moore, K. L., Dalley, A. F., & Agur, A. M. R. (2014). Clinically Oriented Anatomy (7th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
  • Netter, F. (2019). Atlas of Human Anatomy (7th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Saunders.
  • Standring, S. (2016). Gray's Anatomy (41st ed.). Edinburgh: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone.
  • Tubbs, R. S., Shoja, M. M., Loukas, M., & Bergman, R. A. (2016). Bergman’s comprehensive encyclopedia of human anatomic variation. Hoboken: Wiley Blackwell.

Illustrators:

  • Supraorbital artery (Arteria supraorbitalis) - Paul Kim

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