TY - JOUR
T1 - Cutaneous depth of the supraorbital nerve
T2 - A cadaveric anatomic study with clinical applications to dermatology
AU - Christensen, Kevin N.
AU - Lachman, Nirusha
AU - Pawlina, Wojciech
AU - Baum, Christian L.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2014 by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, Inc.
PY - 2014/12/11
Y1 - 2014/12/11
N2 - BACKGROUND: Common dermatologic procedures performed on the forehead may injure the supraorbital nerve (SON) leading to adverse outcomes. OBJECTIVE: To describe SON anatomic course and cutaneous depth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen cadaver specimens were dissected. RESULTS: The supraorbital nerve originated 2.63 ± 0.27 (range, 2.1-3.5) cm from the midline and 0.25 ± 0.16 (range, 0-0.5) cm above the orbital rim. Supraorbital nerve emerged as 1 root dividing into superficial (SON-S) and deep (SON-D) branches. The supraorbital nerve deep branch remained deep to the aponeurosis of the corrugator supercilii and frontalis muscles and coursed laterally toward the scalp. Supraorbital nerve superficial branch emerged nearly perpendicular to the orbital rim and traveled under the corrugator supercilii with an average depth of 0.75 ± 0.16 (range, 0.5-1.1) cm. Supraorbital nerve superficial branches entered the subfrontalis plane at a mean distance of 1.29 ± 0.20 (range, 1.0-1.8) cm above the orbital rim with an average depth of 0.45 ± 0.13 (range, 0.3-0.8) cm. These branches entered the subcutaneous plane by piercing through the frontalis muscle at a mean distance of 2.60 ± 0.32 (range, 1.9-3.2) cm above the orbital rim with an average depth of 0.30 ± 0.10 (range, 0.2-0.6) cm. CONCLUSION: The supraorbital nerve depth and course are relevant when performing procedures on the forehead. A thorough understanding of the anatomy and depth of SON-S is critical to help minimize nerve damage and optimize patient counseling.
AB - BACKGROUND: Common dermatologic procedures performed on the forehead may injure the supraorbital nerve (SON) leading to adverse outcomes. OBJECTIVE: To describe SON anatomic course and cutaneous depth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen cadaver specimens were dissected. RESULTS: The supraorbital nerve originated 2.63 ± 0.27 (range, 2.1-3.5) cm from the midline and 0.25 ± 0.16 (range, 0-0.5) cm above the orbital rim. Supraorbital nerve emerged as 1 root dividing into superficial (SON-S) and deep (SON-D) branches. The supraorbital nerve deep branch remained deep to the aponeurosis of the corrugator supercilii and frontalis muscles and coursed laterally toward the scalp. Supraorbital nerve superficial branch emerged nearly perpendicular to the orbital rim and traveled under the corrugator supercilii with an average depth of 0.75 ± 0.16 (range, 0.5-1.1) cm. Supraorbital nerve superficial branches entered the subfrontalis plane at a mean distance of 1.29 ± 0.20 (range, 1.0-1.8) cm above the orbital rim with an average depth of 0.45 ± 0.13 (range, 0.3-0.8) cm. These branches entered the subcutaneous plane by piercing through the frontalis muscle at a mean distance of 2.60 ± 0.32 (range, 1.9-3.2) cm above the orbital rim with an average depth of 0.30 ± 0.10 (range, 0.2-0.6) cm. CONCLUSION: The supraorbital nerve depth and course are relevant when performing procedures on the forehead. A thorough understanding of the anatomy and depth of SON-S is critical to help minimize nerve damage and optimize patient counseling.
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U2 - 10.1097/DSS.0000000000000174
DO - 10.1097/DSS.0000000000000174
M3 - Article
C2 - 25357169
AN - SCOPUS:84916634036
SN - 1076-0512
VL - 40
SP - 1342
EP - 1348
JO - Dermatologic Surgery
JF - Dermatologic Surgery
IS - 12
ER -