Dissection of left orbit from a lateral approach

Lateral rectus muscle reflected; ciliary nerves and ganglion

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Image #56-1

Dissection of left orbit from a lateral approach

Lateral rectus muscle reflected; ciliary nerves and ganglion

The lateral rectus muscle has been cut in its midportion and the ends reflected to display structures located more centrally in the orbit. These have been exposed by removal of lobules of fat and delicate connective tissue.

1. Inferior lacrimal gland
2. Supraorbital margin
3. Orbital fat pad
4. Lateral rectus muscle (cut end reflected anteriorly)
5. Eyeball covered by bulbar fascia
6. Sheath of optic nerve
7. Short ciliary nerves
8. Posterior ciliary artery (long)
9. Inferior ophthalmic vein (note large communicating vein between this vessel and the superior ophthalmic vein)
10. Periorbita
11. Infraorbital artery and vein
12. Superior wall orbit and levator palpebrae superioris muscle
13. Superior rectus muscle
14. Lacrimalis artery and vein and superior ophthalmic vein
15. Upper pointer: Anterior limit of superior orbital fissure Lower pointer: Recurrent meningeal branch of lacrimal artery (cut off)
16. Left pointer: Abducens nerve entering lateral rectus muscle Right pointer: Muscular branch of ophthalmic artery
17. Lateral rectus muscle (cut and reflected posteriorly)
18. Ciliary ganglion
19. Upper pointer: Inferior rectus muscle Lower pointer: Branch of oculomotor nerve (III) to inferior oblique muscle
20. Maxillary nerve (V)
21. Sphenoid sinus
22. Internal maxillary artery