Nerves · Nervous System · Medium
Supraorbital
Meaning: Describing the branch of the ophthalmic nerve emerging above the eye socket to supply the forehead and scalp.
In practice: Pressure over the supraorbital notch is used to test response to pain in an unconscious patient.
Word parts
- supra- means above
Many medical words are built from Greek and Latin parts like these, so learning a few helps you work out new terms.
Quick check
Two questions on related nerves words.
Which word means: Widespread damage to many peripheral nerves, usually causing symmetrical glove-and-stocking sensory loss.
Answer: Polyneuropathy
Which word means: The outer layer of a Schwann cell surrounding a peripheral nerve fibre, important for regeneration.
Answer: Neurilemma
Words like supraorbital come up in the daily game
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