The surgical landmark for facial foramen

Objective: To study the localization and relative of the supratrochlear, supraorbital, infraorbital and mental foramen in Thai cadavers to external landmarks for helps the surgeon to easily and practically identify these foramen. Materials and methods: The localization of the supratrochlear, supraorbital, infraorbital and mental foramen in adult Thai cadavers were studied in 110 cadevers (220 sides) from 2008 until 2012. The analyses were also performed to compare differences between sexes and sides. Results: Mean length of supraorbital foramen from nasal midline on the right side was 2.76 cm, left side 2.75 cm, above supraorbital rim right side 0.23 cm, left side 0.23 cm. Mean length of supratrochlear foramen from nasal midline on the right side was 1.77 cm, left side 1.76 cm. Mean length of infraorbital foramen from maxillary midline on the right side was 3.06 cm, left side 3.07 cm, from infraorbital rim on the right side was 0.94 cm, left side 0.92 cm. Mean length of mental foramen measurement straight to symphysis menti on the right side was 3.19 cm, left side 3.18 cm. Measurement along curvature of the mandible on the right side was 3.49 cm, left side 3.49 cm. Conclusion: The knowledge gained from this study is quite important, since it helps the surgeon to easily and practically identify supraorbital notch/foramen, supratrochlea foramen, infraorbital foramen and mental foramen. This will help avoid injury of the neurovascular bundles passing though these sets of foramen.