Osteology of the orbit Flashcards
What separates the two orbits from each other?
the nasal cavity and the ethmoidal and sphenoidal air sinuses
What are the 7 types of bones of which parts contribute to the walls of the orbit?
- Frontal
- Maxilla
- Sphenoid
- Zygomatic
- Palatine
- Ethmoid
- Lacrimal
What is the approximate shape of each orbit and what does it lead to?
quadrilateral pyramid, base is the orbital margin (yellow ring), apex narows at the optic canal
Where is the orbit widest?
1.5cm behind the orbital margin
How are the medial vs lateral walls of the orbit angled?
medial walls approx parallel to mid sagittal plane, whereas lateral walls angled approx 45 degrees to this plane
In which direction is the orbital aperture directed?
forwards, laterally and slightly downwards
In which direction do nerves and muscles passing from the apex into the orbit pass?
forward and laterally
What are the approximate dimensions of the orbit - height, width and depth?
40mm height, 40mm width, 40mm depth
What is the volume of the orbit and what proportion of this is occupied by the eye?
30ml total; one fifth occupied by eye (6ml)
What are the 2 key bones which form the roof of the orbit?
- Orbital plate of the frontal bone
- Small area of lesser wing of the sphenoid
What are the two key bones that form the lateral wall of the orbit?
- Orbital surface of zygomatic bone anteriorly
- Orbital surface of greater wing of sphenoid posteriorly
What are the 4 key bones which form the medial wall of the orbit?
- Frontal process of the maxilla
- Lacrimal bone
- Orbital plate of the ethmoid
- Body of the sphenoid bone
What are the 3 key bones which form the floor of the orbit?
- Orbital plate of the maxilla
- Orbital surface of the zygoma
- Orbital process of the palatine bone
What are 3 noteworthy features of the orbital roof?
- Fossa for the lacrimal gland
- Trochlear fossa (fovea)
- Anterior and posterior ethmoidal canals
Where in the orbital roof is the fossa for the lacrimal gland located?
in the anterolateral aspect of the roof, behind the zygomatic process of the frontal bone
Where in the orbital roof is the trochlear fossa (fovea)?
in the anteromedial aspect of the roof, 4mm from the margin
Is the site at which the trochlea (small pulley) is attached; tendon of the superior oblique passes through the trochlea
What is the trochlear fossa the site of?
the site at which the trochlea (ligamentous sling, acts as small pulley) is attached
What passes through the trochlea?
the tendon of the superior oblique
Where in the orbital roof are the anterior and posterior ethmoidal canals?
positioned at the junction of roof and medial wall above the frontoethmoidal suture
transmit the anterior and posterior ethmoidal nerves and vessels
What is the function of the anterior and posterior ethmoidal canals?
transmit the anterior and posterior ethmoidal nerves and vessels
What are the relations of the roof of the orbit (i.e. what lies above it)?
separates the orbit from the anterior cranial fossa and frontal lobes of the brain
anteriorly, the frontal sinus lies above the orbit
What is the thickness like of the orbital roof?
it is thin and translucent except at the lesser wing of the sphenoid
What are 2 key features of the medial orbital wall?
- lacrimal fossa for the lacrimal sac
- vertical sutures which separate the four bones that comprise this wall (ethmoid, lacrimal, maxilla, sphenoid)
What is the shape of the medial orbital wall?
oblong and thin (0.2-0.4mm)
Where within the medial orbital wall is the lacrimal fossa for the lacrimal sac?
bound by anterior and posterior lacrimal crests and is continuous below with the nasolacrimal canal
Explain the locations of the fossa for the lacrimal gland, and the lacrimal fossa for the lacrimal sac?
the fossa for the lacrimal gland is in the roof of the orbit (in the anterolateral aspect of the roof behind the zygomatic process of the frontal bone), whereas the lacrimal fossa for the lacrimal sac is in the medial wall (bound by anterior and posterior lacrimal crests and continuous below with the nasolacrimal canal)
How thin is the medial wall of the orbit?
it is the thinnest of the walls, largely transparent or semi-transparent
the ethmoidal air sinuses can easily be seen through the wall in a dried skull
What are the relations of the medial wall of the orbit i.e. what lies medial to it?
anterior to posterior: anterior, middle, posterior ethmoidal air cells and the sphenoidal sinus
What can infection rapidly spreading through the thin walls of air cells in the ethmoidal/sphenoid sinuses cause?
orbital cellulitis
Which is the thinnest of the walls of the orbit?
medial wall
In what direction does the floor of the orbit slope?
slightly downwards from medial to lateral wall