Lateral Perspective of the Infraorbital Nerve

Description

Seen in lateral profile, the infraorbital nerve (V2) emerges onto the face at the infraorbital foramen just inferior to the orbital rim of the maxilla, then fans anteroinferiorly across the upper cheek as palpebral, nasal, and superior labial terminal branches. Superior to its course lie the orbit and zygomatic bone, while the maxillary sinus sits deep and medial within the maxilla. Posteriorly, the nerve’s proximal segment tracks back toward the pterygopalatine fossa, where the pterygopalatine ganglion relates to the maxillary nerve before it enters the infraorbital canal. Cervical vertebrae and upper cervical spinal nerves appear inferiorly in the same field for head and neck orientation. This lateral angle clarifies the nerve’s bony landmarks, a practical way to teach why infraorbital nerve blocks are targeted at the infraorbital foramen and why spread must be kept superficial to avoid intravascular injection near the angular and facial vessels. Facial trauma and midface surgery often place V2 at risk, including zygomaticomaxillary complex fractures and orbital floor repairs where edema or hardware can irritate the infraorbital canal. Numbness of the upper lip, lateral nose, and lower eyelid maps cleanly onto the branch pattern shown. Classic V2 territory. Use this artwork in gross anatomy and dental anesthesia teaching, in operative texts covering maxillofacial approaches to the maxilla and orbit, or in patient-facing materials explaining sensory deficits after midface fracture fixation or sinus surgery. It also pairs well with CT-based discussions of the infraorbital canal and foramen as preoperative planning landmarks. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.