What is infraorbital foramen?

The infraorbital foramen is a small opening located on the maxilla bone of the skull, below the orbit (eye socket) and above the alveolar ridge of the maxilla. It serves as a pathway for the infraorbital nerve, which is a branch of the trigeminal nerve (cranial nerve V).

The infraorbital nerve provides sensory innervation to the skin of the lower eyelid, the side of the nose, the upper lip, and the cheek. It is responsible for transmitting sensations of touch, pain, and temperature from these areas to the brain.

In some individuals, the infraorbital foramen may be absent or located in a slightly different position than usual. Anatomical variations in the location and size of the infraorbital foramen are not uncommon and can sometimes impact the distribution of sensory nerves in the face.