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Dissection of left orbit from an anterior approach

Tarsal plates; lacrimal canaliculi; fascia supporting eye

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Image #53-3
Diagram Image
Legend Image
Dissection of left orbit from an anterior approach
Tarsal plates; lacrimal canaliculi; fascia supporting eye
The supporting tarsal muscle (16) has been detached from the margin of the tarsus and resected to uncover the conjunctival membrane (17). The orbital septum has been cut away to expose the trochlea encased in dense fascia. The fascia (24) which encloses the inferior oblique muscle (12) extends laterally to the orbital tubercle of the zygoma and medially to the posterior lacrimal crest. It also blends with the fascia of the inferior rectus muscle and with the fascia of the bulb. The sling-like support thus formed for the eye is often referred to as the suspensory ligament (of Lockwood).
  1. Supraorbital nerve
  2. Supratrochlear nerve and superior oblique muscle
  3. Infratrochlear nerve
  4. Nasofrontal vein
  5. Middle palpebral artery
  6. Orbital fascia converging toward attachment to posterior lacrimal crest
  7. Origin of superior part of orbicularis oculi muscle
  8. Superior lacrimal duct
  9. Medial palpebral ligament
  10. Medial ocular angle
  11. Inferior lacrimal duct
  12. Inferior oblique muscle
  13. Supraorbital margin
  14. Fascia of levator palpebrae superioris muscle
  15. Aponeurosis of levator palpebrae superioris muscle
  16. Superior tarsalis muscle (cut across)
  17. Conjunctiva
  18. Superior tarsus and tarsal (Meibomian) glands
  19. Zygomaticofrontal suture
  20. Lateral palpebral artery
  21. Lacrimal nerve
  22. Inferior tarsus
  23. Conjunctiva
  24. Upper pointer: Suspensory ligament of eye (see text above) Lower pointer: fat pad of orbit