Morphometric analysis of the infraorbital groove, canal, and foramen on three-dimensional reconstruction of computed tomography scans

Purpose

This study aimed to investigate the anatomy of the infraorbital foramen (IOF), infraorbital canal (IOC), and infraorbital groove (IOG) with regard to surgical and invasive procedures using three-dimensional reconstruction of CT scans.

Methods

The CT scans of 100 patients were evaluated retrospectively. The morphology of the IOF, IOC, and IOG as well as their relationships to different anatomic landmarks was assessed in a three-dimensional model.

Results

The mean length of the IOC and IOG and the angle of the IOC relative to IOG were 11.7 ± 1.9, 16.7 ± 2.4 mm, and 145.5° ± 8.5°, respectively. The mean angles of the IOC relative to vertical and horizontal planes were 13.2° ± 6.4° and 46.7° ± 7.6°, respectively. In the relationships between the IOF and different anatomic landmarks, the mean distances from the IOF to supraorbital notch/foramen, facial midline, and infraorbital rim were 5.6 ± 3.1 mm laterally, 26.5 ± 1.9 mm laterally, and 9.6 ± 1.7 mm inferiorly, respectively. The mean distance from the IOF to anterior nasal spine (ANS) was 35.0 ± 2.6 mm, and the mean angle of the axis that passed the IOF and ANS relative to horizontal plane was 28.8° ± 4.1°. In addition, the mean soft tissue thickness overlying the IOF was 11.4 ± 1.9 mm.

Conclusions

These results provide detailed knowledge of the anatomical characteristics and clinical importance of the IOF. Such knowledge is of paramount importance for surgeons when performing maxillofacial surgery and regional block anesthesia.