Supraorbital nerve

Structure

Origin

The supraorbital nerve branches from the frontal nerve midway between the base and apex of the orbit.

Course

It travels anteriorly superior to the levator palpebrae superioris muscle. It exits the orbit through the supraorbital foramen/notch in the superior margin orbit, exiting it lateral to the supratrochlear nerve. It then ascends onto the forehead deep to the corrugator supercilii muscle and frontalis muscles.

Fate

It divides into a medial branch and lateral branch - usually after emerging from the orbit, but sometimes already within the orbit.

Distribution

The supraorbital nerve provides sensory innervation to the skin of the lateral forehead and upper eyelid, as well as the conjunctiva of the upper eyelid and mucosa of the frontal sinus.