Supratrochlear Artery, Anterior View

Description

Arising from the ophthalmic artery in the superomedial orbit, the supratrochlear artery courses anteriorly and superiorly to exit near the trochlea, then ascends in the medial forehead close to the midline. Along its superficial path it runs deep to the frontalis early on, then becomes subcutaneous as it approaches the glabella and lower forehead, where it travels medial to the supraorbital vessels. Surrounding context in the anterior head and neck includes the frontal bone and nasal bones superiorly, the maxilla and mandible inferiorly, and the cervical spine at the craniovertebral junction, with the common and internal carotid arteries and jugular venous pathways framed in the neck. Small cutaneous branches and accompanying veins are suggested along the vessel’s course. For clinicians, this artery is a practical landmark in periorbital and forehead procedures because it marks a medial vascular corridor that can bleed briskly with lacerations and can be injured during brow lifts or glabellar injections. Filler placement in the glabella and medial forehead carries a known risk of retrograde embolization into the ophthalmic circulation, with retinal ischemia as the feared complication, so appreciating the supratrochlear artery’s superficial ascent and midline proximity matters. A short vessel, big consequences. Educators can drop this figure into head and neck anatomy labs, facial vascular supply lectures, and surgical anatomy modules that pair the supratrochlear artery with the supraorbital and angular arteries in discussions of anastomoses and flap planning. Publishers will also find it useful for emergency medicine and plastic surgery content illustrating forehead wound management, hemostasis, and safe injection planes. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.