Supraorbital artery

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The supraorbital artery is a branch of the ophthalmic artery supplying part of the orbit and face.

Gross anatomy

Origin

The supraorbital artery originates from the ophthalmic artery, upon branching it lies medial to the optic nerve.

Course

The supraorbital artery courses superiorly and medially to the superior rectus and levator palpebrae superioris muscles. It then projects forward with supra-orbital nerve at the roof of the orbit. The supraorbital artery exits the orbit via the supraorbital notch ascending the scalp deep to the frontalis muscle.

Supply

The SOA supplies the superior rectus, levator muscles, superior oblique, the frontal bone, the upper eyelid, skin of the forehead and scalp.

Anastomoses

The terminal branches of the supraorbital artery anastomose with the contralateral supraorbital, supratrochlear and superficial temporal arteries. This is an example of an ICA/ECA anastomosis.