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Study sheds light on arterial structure of the forehead

A recent study of 11 cadaver hemifaces revealed new information about the arterial structure of the forehead.

The researchers suggested that filler injection into the forehead without clear understanding of the vasculature may yield adverse consequences.

The deep branch of the supratrochlear artery gives way to two main distribution patterns of the arteries, according to the findings. The first type is the deep branch of the supratrochlear artery present-pattern, which the experts further stratified into two subtypes.

For subtype Ia, the superficial branch of the supratrochlear artery feeds the superficial layer to the frontalis medially, while the deep branch of the supratrochlear artery laterally feeds this superficial layer. Also in Ia, the deeper part of the frontalis is fed by the deep branches of both the supratrochlear and supraorbital arteries.

In type Ib, the superficial branches of the supratrochlear and supraorbital arteries, along with the central or paracentral arteries, feed the frontalis. The same mechanisms that feed type Ia feed the deep layers of the frontalis in type Ib.  

The researchers defined type II as the deep branch of the supratrochlear artery-absent pattern, according to the findings. In this type, they wrote that the same mechanism of type Ia feeds the layer superficial to the frontalis. They added that the layer deep to frontalis is fed by the deep branch of the supraorbital artery. – by Rob Volansky

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.