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Orbit (anatomy)

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Template:Infobox Anatomy Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]


Overview[edit | edit source]

In anatomy, the orbital bone is the cavity or socket of the skull in which the eye and its appendages are situated.

It can also mean the skin which surrounds the eye of a bird.

In the adult human, the volume of the orbit is 30 ml, of which the eye occupies 6.5 ml. [1]

Definition[edit | edit source]

The orbits are conical cavities, which open into the midline of the face. Each consists of a base, an apex and four walls.

The base, which opens in the face, has four borders. The following bones take part in their formation:

  • 1. Superior margin: frontal bone
  • 2. Inferior margin: maxilla and zygomatic
  • 3. Medial margin: frontal, lacrimal and maxilla
  • 4. Lateral margin: zygomatic and frontal

The apex lies near the medial end of superior orbital fissure and contain the optic canal which communicates with middle cranial fossa.

The roof (superior wall) is formed by the orbital plate frontal bone and the lesser wing of sphenoid. The orbital surface presents medially by trochlear fovea and laterally by lacrimal fossa

The floor (inferior wall) is formed by the orbital surface of maxilla, the orbital surface of zygomatic bone and the orbital process of palatine bone. Medially near the orbital margin is located the groove for nasolacrimal duct. Near the middle of the floor, located infraorbital groove, which leads to the infraorbital foramen. The floor is separated from the lateral wall by inferior orbital fissure, which connects the orbit to pterygopalatine and infratemporal fossa.

The medial wall is formed by the frontal process of maxilla, lacrimal bone, orbital plate of ethmoid and a small part of the body of the sphenoid.

The Lateral wall is formed by the orbital process of zygomatic and the orbital plate of greater wing of sphenoid. The bones meet at the zygomaticosphenoid suture. The lateral wall is the thickest wall of the orbit.

Fat cushion[edit | edit source]

In the orbit, surrounding the eyeball and its muscles, is a layer of fat that helps the eye rotate around a fixed center of rotation. If excess liquid is collected in the fat cushion tissue, the eye may protrude. [2]

Contents[edit | edit source]

Bones[edit | edit source]

In humans, seven bones make up the bony orbit:

Foramina and openings[edit | edit source]

  1. Optic foramen
  2. Superior orbital fissure
  3. Inferior orbital fissure
  4. Anterior ethmoid foramen
  5. Posterior ethmoidal foramen
  6. Infraorbital foramen
  7. Supraorbital foramen
  8. Naso-lacrimal canal opening
  9. Zygomatic orbital foramen

Additional images[edit | edit source]

  • The skull from the front.

    The skull from the front.

  • Medial wall of left orbit.

    Medial wall of left orbit.

  • Dissection showing origins of right ocular muscles, and nerves entering by the superior orbital fissure.

    Dissection showing origins of right ocular muscles, and nerves entering by the superior orbital fissure.

  • Coronal section of nasal cavities.

    Coronal section of nasal cavities.

  • Lateral orbit anatomy

    Lateral orbit anatomy

  • Lateral orbit nerves

    Lateral orbit nerves

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Duane's Ophthalmology, Chapter 32 Embryology and Anatomy of the Orbit and Lacrimal System . (eds Tasman W, Jaeger EA) Lippincott/Williams & Wilkins, 2007
  2. ↑ "eye, human."Encyclopædia Britannica. 2008. Encyclopædia Britannica 2006 Ultimate Reference Suite DVD 5 Apr. 2008

External links[edit | edit source]

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de:Orbita it:Orbita oculare la:Orbita (anatomia) nl:Orbita fi:Silmäkuoppa sv:Ögonhåla


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