Morphometric Analysis of the Infraorbital Foramen in Adult Sri Lankan Skulls Análisis Morfométrico de la Fosa Infraorbital en Cráneos de Singaleses Adultos

Evidence supports a clear racial variation in the position of the infraorbital foramen. Therefore detailed knowledge of the population specific data on biometric features of the infraorbital foramen will facilitate therapeutic, diagnostic and surgical manipulations in the maxillo-facial region. The goal of this study was to elucidate the morphological features and precise anatomical position of the infraorbital foramen with reference to surrounding anatomical landmarks in an adult Sri Lankan population. A total of one hundred and eight adult dry skulls were assessed to determine the number, shape, orientation, vertical and transverse diameters of the infraorbital foramen, transverse distance from the infraorbital foramen to the maxillary midline and the zygomatico-maxillary suture and the vertical distance from the infraorbital foramen to the infraorbital rim and supraorbital foramen. The position of the infraorbital foramen was determined in relation to the maxillary teeth and the supraorbital foramen.The findings indicated that the size of the infraorbital foramen and the mean distances from the infraorbital foramen to the maxillary midline, infraorbital rim and supraorbital foramen was significantly larger in males than in females. The modal position for the infraorbital foramen was in line with the long axis of the second upper premolar and the supraorbital and infraorbital foramina were lying in the same sagittal plane only in 24.07 % of the skulls. The results highlight the racial and gender differences of the infra orbital foramen and emphasize the need for meticulous preoperative evaluation of the infraorbital foramen in patients who are candidates for maxillo-facial surgeries and regional block anesthesia.