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supraorbital

supraorbital

2 9.9
A part of the forehead above the eye socket
  • adjective
  • /ˌsuːprəˈɔːrbɪtəl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : supraorbital
  • Supraorbital brow ridges: Strong, primate.
  • supraorbital rim
  • supraorbital foramen

Examples

  • (b) The skull of Protocetus (an oblique view) shows supraorbital shield (sup.), palate (pal.), and tympanic bone (tym).

    Academic text (2001)
  • No tenderness was evident on palpation of the supraorbital foramen.

    Academic text (2006)
  • This fierce appearance is due partly to its relatively large supraorbital process (a bony shield that protects the eye) and its long legs and tail.

    Academic text (1990)
  • Physical examination revealed that the flat head of a nail 1 cm in diameter was flush with the skin above the left zygomatic arch, just posterior to the supraorbital rim.

    Academic text (2002)
  • Of the 43 patients, 27 had cellulitis and 16 had an abscess (one of the 16 had two abscesses—one subperiosteal and one supraorbital).

    Academic text (2002)
  • Of this group, there were 27 cases of cellulitis (21 periorbital and six orbital) and 17 abscesses (12 subperiosteal including one case of supraorbital abscess and five orbital).

    Academic text (2002)
  • The surgeon noted significant supraorbital development during the cranial examination.

  • A prominent supraorbital ridge can be indicative of a person's ancestry.

  • The artist carefully sculpted the facial features, paying special attention to the supraorbital area.

Synonyms

supraocular
vssupraorbital
  • Specialized
9.9

A plate or ridge above the eye on some animals

is narrower, applying only to the socket rather than the eye

Compounds

supraorbital ridge
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A raised bone above the eye socket on the forehead

supraorbital torus
  • Specialized
9.9

A thick bony ridge above the eyes often seen in early human ancestors

supraorbital vein
  • Specialized
7.1

A blood vessel that carries blood from the forehead toward the inner corner of the eye

Surface Forms

supraorbital positive

Morphology

supraorbital = orbital (semi-transparent) = supra + orbit + al

The prefix 'supra-' (meaning 'above') is technical/Latin and common in medical terms, so the relation to 'orbital' is clear in anatomy but not fully obvious to an average B1 learner.

Etymology

The word supraorbital breaks into supra- 'above' and orbital, from orbit meaning 'eye socket' or 'path around a planet'. So, supraorbital describes something 'above the eye socket'.