Dissection of right orbit from a superior approach

Ciliary ganglion and connections; nerve supply to medial, inferior and lateral rectus muscles

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Image #54-7

Dissection of right orbit from a superior approach

Ciliary ganglion and connections; nerve supply to medial, inferior and lateral rectus muscles

The ophthalmic artery and its branches have been cut away to reveal the ciliary nerves (4) and ganglion (8) as well as the nerves which enter the rectus muscles. A distinct bulge occurs in each of the extraocular muscles just anterior to the point of entry of motor nerves into the muscle substance. A filament from the ophthalmic sympathetic plexus (10) joins the ciliary ganglion.

1. Ophthalmic artery
2. Anterior ethmoidal artery
3. Inferior wall of orbit
4. Short ciliary nerves
5. Medial rectus muscle
6. Branches of oculomotor nerve (III) to medial rectus muscle
7. Superior oblique muscle (cut off)
8. Ciliary ganglion
9. Nasociliary nerve (cut off)
10. Filament from ophthalmic nerve plexus to ciliary ganglion
11. Ophthalmic artery
12. Trochlear nerve (IV) (cut off)
13. Ophthalmic nerve (cut off)
14. Anterior clinoid process
15. Sheath of optic nerve
16. Upper pointer: Position of macula lutea in interior of eyeball (marked by 4) Lower pointer: Insertion of inferior oblique muscle
17. Lateral check ligament
18. Branch of oculomotor nerve (III) to inferior oblique muscle
19. Inferior rectus muscle
20. Lateral rectus muscle
21. Temporalis muscle
22. Branch of oculomotor nerve (III) to inferior rectus muscle
23. Abducens nerve (VI)
24. Branch of oculomotor nerve (III) to superior rectus muscle (cut off)
25. Middle cranial fossa