Anatomy of the infraorbital artery and its orbital branch

The IOA is an important vascular structure to recognise during inferior orbitotomies. The most common configuration is an IOA that runs medially to V2 in the pterygopalatine fossa, then superomedially to the ION within the infraorbital canal. The orbital branch of the IOA emerges 13 mm posterior to the inferior orbital rim. Recognition of these arterial branches and appropriate cauterization are paramount for avoiding significant operative complications.