Supratrochlear Artery, Anterior View

Description

Running vertically just lateral to the midline of the forehead, the supratrochlear artery ascends from the superomedial orbit and courses superiorly within the subcutaneous tissues over the frontal bone. Inferiorly, its origin is implied near the medial canthus where the artery emerges from the orbit and passes superficial to the corrugator supercilii and frontalis, with the orbicularis oculi framing the palpebral fissure laterally. Surrounding facial musculature, including frontalis superiorly, orbicularis oris inferiorly, and masseter laterally, provides layered context, while the zygomatic arch and mandible anchor the anterior head and neck landmarks. Clinically, the supratrochlear artery is a key hazard vessel in glabellar and forehead procedures because it travels in a relatively superficial plane before giving perforators that anastomose across the midline and with the supraorbital arterial network. Inadvertent intra-arterial injection of dermal filler in this territory can propagate retrograde toward the ophthalmic circulation and cause retinal ischemia, a scenario where understanding the artery’s medial orbital origin and superior trajectory matters. Surgeons also reference this vessel during forehead flap planning and when avoiding vascular injury during brow and upper eyelid approaches. Use this plate for teaching the vascular anatomy of the anterior scalp in head and neck anatomy courses, for procedural safety figures in aesthetic medicine and oculoplastic publications, or for patient-facing diagrams explaining bruising and vascular risk zones around the medial brow. It also supports surgical atlases that correlate facial muscles with superficial arterial paths during dissection-based instruction. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.