SUPRAORBITAL ARTERY Meaning and
Definition
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The supraorbital artery is a branch of the ophthalmic artery, which is itself a branch of the internal carotid artery. It is a major artery located in the frontal region of the head, specifically above the eye socket or the orbit.
The supraorbital artery runs upward and forward, emerging through the supraorbital foramen, a small opening in the frontal bone located just above the eye socket. Once it exits the skull, the artery divides into numerous smaller branches, supplying blood to various structures in the forehead, scalp, upper eyelid, and forehead muscles. It is an essential component of the vascular network in this region, providing vital oxygenated blood to these structures.
Damage or impairment to the supraorbital artery can have significant clinical implications. In some cases, trauma or injury to this artery may result in bleeding, leading to local hematoma or swelling in the forehead. Additionally, any obstruction or blockage in the artery can hamper the blood supply, potentially causing ischemia (lack of blood flow) in the affected areas.
The knowledge of the anatomy and function of the supraorbital artery is of particular importance in various medical fields, including ophthalmology, plastic surgery, and neurosurgery. Understanding its characteristics and relationship with adjacent structures plays a crucial role in surgical interventions, such as forehead reconstructions, frontal bone surgeries, or orbital tumor removals.
Etymology of SUPRAORBITAL ARTERY
The word "supraorbital" consists of two parts:
1. "Supra" comes from Latin and means "above" or "over".
2. "Orbital" comes from the Latin word "orbita", which refers to the eye socket or the circular path an object takes.
Combined, "supraorbital" refers to something that is above or over the eye socket.
The word "artery" comes from the Latin word "arteria", which means "windpipe" or "artery". It is derived from the Greek word "arteria" meaning "windpipe" or "pipe" because arteries were thought to carry air rather than blood in ancient times.
Therefore, the etymology of "supraorbital artery" can be understood as the artery that is located above or over the eye socket.
