The supraorbital nerve exits the orbit through the supraorbital foramen (or notch) at the superomedial orbital rim and supplies the central forehead and scalp. It is the terminal branch of the frontal nerve (from V1) and is accompanied by the supraorbital artery from the ophthalmic artery. The supraorbital notch is palpable as a notch or foramen approximately 2.5 cm from the midline at the superior orbital rim and is the landmark for supraorbital nerve blocks for forehead analgesia.
| Origin | Frontal branch of the ophthalmic nerve (V1), emerging through the supraorbital foramen or notch |
|---|---|
| Course | Divides into medial and lateral branches supplying the forehead and scalp to the vertex |
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| Sensory |
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Supraorbital neuralgia produces frontal headache and forehead hypersensitivity reproduced by pressure at the supraorbital notch, often confused with tension headache or frontal sinusitis. The supraorbital nerve block is performed by injecting local anaesthetic at the supraorbital notch and provides effective analgesia for forehead procedures and diagnostic confirmation of supraorbital neuralgia.
Forehead pain from supraorbital nerve entrapment or irritation at the notch producing vertex headache and forehead hypersensitivity managed with supraorbital nerve block.
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