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Morphometric Analysis of the Supraorbital Foramen and Notch in Adult North Indian Dry Skulls: Anatomical Variations With Clinical and Anthropological Implications

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The supraorbital foramen (SOF) and supraorbital notch (SON) are important anatomical landmarks transmitting the supraorbital neurovascular bundle. Their morphology and position exhibit considerable population-specific variation, directly influencing the safety and success of supraorbital nerve blocks, craniofacial and orbital surgeries, and reconstructive procedures. Despite their clinical and forensic significance, comprehensive morphometric data for the North Indian population remain limited. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the morphology, morphometric characteristics, and anatomical variations of the supraorbital foramen and notch in adult North Indian dry skulls and establish population-specific reference data with clinical and anthropological relevance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An observational study was conducted on 63 adult dry human skulls (126 supraorbital regions) obtained from the Department of Anatomy, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University. Morphological variants of the supraorbital opening, presence and location of accessory foramina, foraminal shape, morphometric dimensions, and distances from established anatomical landmarks were recorded using a digital Vernier caliper. Measurements were performed in triplicate. Categorical variables were summarized as frequencies and percentages, and continuous variables as mean ± standard deviation. Independent-samples t-tests were used to compare right- and left-sided measurements of complete supraorbital foramina, whereas paired-samples t-tests were used for bilateral measurements obtained from the same skull. All tests were two-tailed, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Supraorbital notch variants predominated, accounting for 76 (60.3%) of all supraorbital margins, while foramen variants constituted 32 (25.4%), combined notch-foramen variants constituted 14 (11.1%), and supraorbital depressions (SOD) constituted 4 (3.2%). Accessory supraorbital foramina were identified in 20 (15.9%) supraorbital regions, most commonly as a single lateral accessory foramen. Oval foramina represented the predominant shape, occurring in 19 (48.7%) of complete supraorbital foramina. The mean vertical and transverse diameters of complete foramina showed no significant bilateral differences. A statistically significant right-left difference was observed only for the distance from the nasion to the supraorbital opening (p < 0.001), indicating slight lateralization on the right side. CONCLUSION: The examined North Indian osteological sample demonstrated a predominance of supraorbital notch variants, frequent accessory foramina, and measurable bilateral variation in selected anatomical relationships. These findings provide descriptive morphometric data that may be useful for comparative and clinical anatomical research.

Source: Cureus

DOI: 10.7759/cureus.117469