MORPHOMETRIC ANALYSIS AND CLINICAL PERSPECTIVE OF THE PERIORBITAL REGION IN A NORTHERN PAKISTANI POPULATION

ABSTRACT
Objective: Anesthetizing the face by periorbital nerve block during periorbital and facial surgery requires precise
knowledge of the location and variations of the periorbital foramina.
Material and Methods: Human skulls of unknown age and sex were examined from which the location, size, shape and
position of the periorbital foramina with respect to the maxillary teeth were determined. Parameters determined were
the dimensions of the supraorbital foramen (SOF), supraorbital notch (SON), infraorbital foramen (IOF), frontal foramen
(FF) and frontal notch (FN),and the distances of these landmarks from the nasal midline (NM), angulus oculi medialis
(AOM), temporal crest of the frontal bone, pyriform aperture and zygomaticomaxillary suture. In addition the distances
between the FF or FN and supraorbital notch SON or SOF were also determined, as well as the angle between a line
passing from the anterior nasal spine to the IOF and the horizontal plane (goniometric angle).
Results: No difference in the size, shape or location of the SOF/SON, IOF, FF/FN between the left and right sides was
observed; however there was a significant difference between the right and left IOF-NM distance (p=0.001). Accessory
SOFs, IOFs and FFs were observed on both sides. The vertical orientation of the SON and FF/FN were mainly above
the canine, while the IOF was abovethe 2nd premolar.
Conclusion: There is no difference in the size, shape and location of the right and left SOF and SON in a Northern
Pakistani population. However, the right and left IOF-NM distance in this Northern Pakistani population were significantly
different (p=0.001).
Key Words: Supraorbital foramen, supraorbital notch, infraorbital foramen, frontal foramen, frontal notch, skull