The purpose of the present study was to determine the locations of the supraorbital foramen (SOF) and the infraorbital foramen (IOF) relative to soft- and hard-tissue landmarks. It will provide more accurate data for dental and facial surgery. Twenty embalmed adult cadavers (40 sides; 16 men, 4 women) were dissected to expose the SOFs and IOFs, and another 46 skulls (92 sides) were also measured for further study. The locations of the SOFs and IOFs were evaluated with direct and photographic measurements. The data gained were analyzed by statistical method. The horizontal distances between the SOFs/IOFs and the medial canthus to the distance between the medial canthus and the lateral canthus ratios have been measured, and their confidence intervals are 0.22 to 0.31 and 0.34 to 0.49, respectively, and their linear regression equations are EF = 0.58 CF + 25.02 (unit: mm) and EF = 0.51 DG + 24.20 (unit: mm). The vertical distance between IOFs/SOFs and the medial/lateral canthi are 25.09 ± 3.36 mm/23.91 ± 3.31 mm and 25.75 ± 3.34 mm/26.93 ± 3.88 mm, respectively. The horizontal angle between IOFs/SOFs and the medial/lateral canthi are 72.54 ± 7.13 degrees, 66.77 ± 5.17 degrees, 47.45 ± 6.57 degrees, 54.69 ± 8.38 degrees, respectively. Based on the hard tissues, The SOF localized 20.55 ± 3.24 mm medial and 13.78 ± 2.60 mm superior to the zygomaticofrontal suture. And the horizontal angle between them is 56.04 ± 6.87 degrees. The IOF localized 18.52 ± 2.30 mm medial and 30.79 ± 3.29 inferior to the zygomaticofrontal suture. The horizontal angle between them is 31.06 ± 4.33 degrees. We also found that most (96.81%) of the IOFs were located below the middle line of the zygomatic arch. These results may provide more detailed information about the locations of SOF and IOF. And they will facilitate prediction of the locations of IOF and SOF in clinical procedure.

Facial nerve (FN) paralysis is a rare but devastating complication of cochlear implant surgery. This study aimed to measure the cupula of the cochlea to the tympanic segment of the FN canal, cupula of the cochlea to the mastoid segment of the FN canal, and the geniculate ganglion to provide a more secure and accurate orientation of the FN canal and to facilitate operation on the cochlea by avoiding potential damage to FN. Using computed tomography, we scanned skulls of 120 volunteers who suffer no cases of skull base lesions. Multiplane reconstruction images were prepared with high-resolution computed tomography. Preoperative evaluation of the FN anatomy within the temporal bone by high-resolution computed tomography helps in minimizing surgical trauma to the nerve, and these results can help guide clinical surgery on the cochlea.

These above-mentioned results can help to locate the projection of the TSS sulcus on the skull surface accurately, which is simple and convenient in guiding the surgeons to protect the TSS during surgeries.