ABSTRACT
Background: Maxillary bones constitute the front of face and upper jaw. The orbital surface is marked by theridge of bone which form the lower and inner half of the orbital opening. Just below the outer part of this ridge isthe infra-orbital foramen through which the infra-orbital branch of the second division of 5th cranial nervepasses to the skin of the face. The present study was conducted to know the precise location of Infra- orbitalforamen in dry human skulls in North Karnataka region.Materials and Methods: Fifty dry adult human skulls of unknown age and sex were examined at the DepartmentOf Anatomy, Mahadevappa Rampure Medical college, Kalaburgi. Both sides of skull were assessed by inspection.Following certain inclusion and exclusion criteria, total foramen studied were 100. The shape, direction, diametersand orientation of the foramen with respect to upper teeth was noted.Distance of IOF from IOM, PA and UAM wererecorded.The measurements were carried out using Vernier calipers. Data collected was subjected to variousstatistical analysis.Results: Majority of IOF’s were Oval in shape and many were vertically oval. Most of the foramen were directedInfero- medially, rest of them were directed vertically downwards. IOF in many skulls were present at the level of2nd premolar. Mean value of distance of IOF from IOM is 6.6mm +/- 1.5mm on right and 6.02mm +/- 1.6mm on left,from PA is 14.9 mm +/- 2.3mm on right and 14.1mm +/- 2.4 on left side and from UAM is about 24.8mm +/- 2.9mmon right and 21.9mm +/- 4.7mm on left side. Median value of distance of IOF from IOM is 7mm & 6mm, from PAis 14.5mm & 13mm, from UAM is 25mm & 22mm, on right and left side respectively. Mode value of IOF from IOMis 6mm & 7mm, from PA is 14mm & 13mm, from UAM is 24mm & 22mm, 24mm on right and left side respectively.Conclusion: Results of the present study may help in Maxillofacial surgeries, Rhinoplasty, Treatment of TrigeminalNeuralgia and Cryotherapy in North Karnataka population.