Zygomatico-orbital Artery, Lateral View

Description

Seen on the right lateral face and temple, the zygomatico-orbital artery courses superiorly across the zygomatic region toward the lateral orbital margin, running deep to the superficial musculoaponeurotic system and in close relationship to the zygomatic bone and the lateral orbital rim. Nearby, branches of the superficial temporal artery and transverse facial artery would be expected in the preauricular and infrazygomatic plane, with accompanying superficial veins shown in blue tracking parallel, slightly posterior, and superficial to their arterial counterparts. Facial expression muscles such as the orbicularis oculi (lateral fibers), zygomaticus major and minor, and the masseter over the mandibular ramus frame the vessel’s path, while the auricle sits posteriorly as a reliable surface landmark. Clinical relevance is concentrated at the lateral canthus and zygomatic arch, where small-caliber arterial branches can complicate periorbital and midface approaches. Bleeding from the zygomatico-orbital artery is a known nuisance during lateral orbital wall exposure, zygomaticomaxillary complex fracture repair, and temple-based incisions, and it also matters in facelift dissection planes where superficial temporal system branches are preserved or ligated. A small vessel. A big difference in a clean field. Use this illustration for teaching head and neck arterial anatomy in gross anatomy, maxillofacial surgery, and oculoplastics modules, or for orienting trainees to safe dissection layers around the zygoma, lateral orbit, and preauricular region in operative manuals and patient education on facial fracture fixation. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.