infraorbital foramen

The infraorbital foramen is an anatomical opening located in the floor of the eye socket, slightly below its lower margin. This foramen serves as the anterior exit for a canal that transmits the infraorbital branch of the maxillary nerve, which is the second division of the fifth cranial nerve. The maxillae, or upper jaws, form a significant portion of the facial skeleton, contributing to the middle and lower parts of the eye socket, as well as the nasal aperture. The lower part of each maxilla features the alveolar margin, which contains the sockets for the upper teeth. The orbit itself, the bony socket protecting the eye, is formed by several skull bones, including parts of the maxilla, zygomatic, and palatine bones.12