infraorbital groove infraorbital groove the infraorbital groove (or sulcus) is located in the middle of the posterior part of the orbital surface of the maxilla. its function is to act as the passage of the infraorbital artery, the infraorbital vein, and the infraorbital nerve. not to be confused with inferior orbital fissure, infraorbital canal, or infraorbital foramen. infraorbital grooveleft maxilla. outer surface. (infra-orbital groove labeled at upper right.)1 foramen ethmoidale, 2 canalis opticus, 3 fissura orbitalis superior, 4 fossa sacci lacrimalis, 5 sulcus infraorbitalis, 6 fissura orbitalis inferior, 7 foramen infraorbitaledetailspart ofmaxilla of skullsystemskeletalidentifierslatinsulcus infraorbitalis maxillaeta98a02.1.12.005ta2760fma57746anatomical terms of bone structure the infraorbital groove begins at the middle of the posterior border of the maxilla (with which it is continuous). this is near the upper edge of the infratemporal surface of the maxilla. it passes forward, and ends in a canal which subdivides into two branches. the infraorbital groove has an average length of 16.7 mm, with a small amount of variation between people. it is similar in men and women. function the infraorbital groove creates space that allows for passage of the infraorbital artery, the infraorbital vein, and the infraorbital nerve. clinical significance the infraorbital groove is an important surgical landmark for local anaesthesia of the infraorbital nerve.