Eyelid Structure Flashcards
The upper eyelids extend from the ___ to the ____.
Conjunctival fornix to the superior orbital rim/margin.
Lower eyelids extend from the ____ to the ___
Conjunctival fornix to the nasojugal crease (nose/relating to the zygoma AKA bony arch of the cheek) and palpebromalar sulci.
Upper and lower eyelids meet where?
At the canthus, which is where the eyelids physically touch.
Opening between the upper and lower eyelids
Palpebral fissure (can be horizontal, or vertical)
Difference between canthus and palpebral fissure
Canthus- Where the physical eyelids touch
Palpebral fissure is the space between the eyelids
Lateral canthus
is 5-7 mm medial to the lateral orbital rim and lies directly on the globe.
Medial canthus
Is at the medial orbital rim and is separated from the globe by the lacrimal lake.
Difference between the medial and lateral canthus
Lateral canthus sits directly on the globe and the medial canthus does not. It it separated from the globe by the lacrimal lake.
What is the average distance between the horizontal and vertical palpebral fissure
Horizontal fissure is typically 30mm. (distance from lateral to medial)
Vertical fissure is typically 10 mm. (distance superior to inferior)
These numbers could differ if there is an eyelid droop.
MRD- 1 and MRD-2
Marginal reflex distance- 1 is the distance between the corneal reflex and the upper lid margin (4-4.5mm is normal)
Marginal reflex distance- 2 is the distance between the corneal reflex and the lower lid margin (Greater than 5mm is normal)
MRD1 + MRD2 =
vertical palpebral fissure.
Fornix
Part of the conjunctiva. Where the upper and lower lids originate.
Why is skin of the eyelid different from the rest of the body
The skin of the eyelid is thinner, has little to no fat, has a very thin dermis and has less sebaceous glands and sweat glands.
Function of the skin of the eyelid
Functions as a barrier to the outside environment, prevents microbes from causing infections in underlying tissue.
Characteristics of the eyelid
Folds easily, very flexible, thinnest skin in the body
Why is it important for the eyelid to fold easily and flexibly
Important for rapid movements during blinking
How thin is the skin of the eyelid and why is it so thin?
Less than 1 mm in thickness. It is so thin because of attenuated (thin) dermis and minimal hypodermic tissue (since there is such low fat in the eyelid and fat usually makes up the majority of the hypodermis).
characteristics of the dermis in the eyelid
Attenuated in the eyelid
Has less adnexal structures (hair follicles, hair, sebaceous glands and sweat glands).
Where in the eyelid is the hypodermis absent
The tarsal region of the eyelid.
During eyelid reconstruction, the ideal skin choice is what?
Contralateral eyelid skin. Contra= other, Lateral= side.
What kind of tissue is the tarsal plate/tarsus composed of?
Dense connective tissue, which gives the lids structure and rigidity.
How thick is the tarsal plate/tarsus?
1-1.5 mm thick
How far does the tarsal plate horizontally extend
about 30mm
Central vertical height for superior and inferior tarsus
9-11 mm for superior tarsus and 4-5mm for inferior tarsus.
Superior tarsus extends from the eyelid margin to the ____
Superior palpebral sulcus
The inferior tarsus extends from the eyelid margin to the ___
Inferior palpebral sulcus