S8) Functional Anatomy of the Eye Flashcards
Describe the structure of the orbital cavity
The orbital cavity is pyramidal shaped with its apex pointing posteriorly and base anteriorly
Three openings at its apex transmitting nerves and blood vessels into and out of orbit.
Identify them
Identify 3 important anatomical relations of the orbital cavity
- Paranasal air sinuses (maxillary and ethmoid)
- Nasal cavity
- Anterior cranial fossa
Identify two important implications of the anatomical relations of the orbital cavity
- Orbital trauma
- Spread of infection
Identify the different boundaries of the orbit
- Roof (superior wall)
- Floor (inferior wall)
- Medial wall
- Lateral wall
- Apex
- Base
Describe the structures forming the roof of the orbital cavity
- The roof is formed by the frontal bone and the lesser wing of the sphenoid
- The frontal bone separates the orbit from the anterior cranial fossa
Describe the structures forming the floor of the orbital cavity
- The floor is formed by the maxilla, palatine and zygomatic bones
- The maxilla separates the orbit from the underlying maxillary sinus
Describe the structures forming the medial wall of the orbital cavity
- The medial wall is formed by the ethmoid, maxilla, lacrimal and sphenoid bones
- The ethmoid bone separates the orbit from the ethmoid sinus
Describe the structures forming the lateral wall of the orbital cavity
The lateral wall is formed by the zygomatic bone and greater wing of the sphenoid
Describe the structures forming the apex and base of the orbital cavity
- The apex is located at the opening to the optic canal (optic foramen)
- The base (aka orbital rim) opens out into the face, and is bounded by the eyelids
Identify the weakest parts of the orbital cavity and explain why they are most easily fractured
Medial wall and floor as they are thinner and contain air cavities
What is an orbital blowout fracture?
An orbital blowout fracture is a fracture leading to the partial herniation of the orbital contents through the the orbital wall due to blunt force trauma to the eye
How does an orbital blow out fracture present?
- Periorbital swelling (painful)
- Double vision (especially on vertical gaze)
- Impaired vision
- Anaesthesia over affected cheek (infraorbital nerve damage)
How do orbital blow out fractures occur?
Sudden increase in intra-orbital pressure from retropulsion of eye ball e.g. by fist/ball fractures floor of orbit
What is the result of an orbital blow out fracture?
- Orbital contents and blood can prolapse into maxillary and ethmoid sinuses respectively
- The fracture site can ‘trap’ structures e.g. soft tissue such as the extra orbital muscle located near floor or orbit
Describe the structure and function of the eyelids (palpabrae)
- Structure: consists of tarsal plates and muscles and have glands at their edges
- Function: protect the eye when palpebral fissure is closed
Identify 5 contents of the orbital cavity
- Lacrimal apparatus
- Neurovascular structure
- Orbital fat
- Globe of the eye (eyeball) and its internal structures
- Extra-ocular muscles
What do the tarsal plates do?
Tarsal plates provide a connective tissue skeleton to the eyelid for firmness and shape
What is the orbital septum?
Orbital septum is a thin sheet of fibrous tissue originating from orbital rim and blends with the tendon of LPS and tarsal plates
What does the orbital septum do?
The orbital septum separates intra-orbital contents from eyelid fat and orbicularis oculi
What is the clinical signficance of the orbital septum?
The orbital septum acts as a barrier against infection spreading from the pre-septal space to post-septal (orbital cavity proper)
What is periorbital cellulitis?
Periorbital cellulitis is the cellulitis of orbital structures which occurs secondary to infection from bites, periorbital trauma, sinuses (fronto-ethmoidal sinuses)
Identify 2 complications of periorbital cellulitis
- Abscess formation
- Intracranial spread of infection → cavernous sinus thrombosis
Describe the arterial supply of the orbit cavity
Arterial supply via ophthalmic artery and its branches
Describe the venous drainage of the orbital cavity
The veins of orbit drain to cavernous sinus, pterygoid venous plexus and facial veins
Describe the general sensory, special sensory and motor innervation of the orbital cavity
- General sensory: opthalmic nerve (CN Va)
- Special sensory: optic nerve (CN II)
- Motor: oculomotor (CN III), trochlear (CN IV), abducens (CN VI)
Identify the glands of the eye
What is the Meibomian gland and what does it do?
Meibomian glands secrete a lipid-rich substance to lubricate the edge of the eyelids and mix the tear film over the surface of the eye to prevent tears from evaporating to quickly
What is a Meibomian cyst?
A Meibomian cyst (aka chalazion) is a lump in the eyelid caused by the blockage and resultant inflammation of the Meibomian gland
What is a stye?
A stye is a small painful lump in the inside of the eyelid due to the blockage of eyelash follicles
The lacrimal apparatus is also involved in secretion of tears into conjunctival sac.
Identify the specific structures involved
- Lacrimal gland
- Lacrimal caniculi
- Lacrimal sac
- Nasolacrimal duct
What does the lacrimal gland do, where is it found and how is it controlled?
- The lacrimal gland secretes lacrimal fluid (tears)
- It lies in the lacrimal fossa on the superolateral part of the orbit
- It is under parasympathetic control via the facial nerve
Describe the process of secretion from the lacrimal gland
- Lacrimal fluid enters the conjunctival sac through the lacrimal canaliculi and passes into the lacrimal lake at the medial angle of the eye
- The fluid then drains into the lacrimal sac before passing into the nasal cavity via the nasolacrimal duct
What are the small holes on the medial side of the eyelid and what purpose do they serve?
There are two lacrimal puncta in the medial portion of each eyelid which function to collect tears produced by the lacrimal glands
What is the conjunctiva and what does it do?
Conjunctiva is a transparent, secretory mucous membrane which produces mucous and tears to lubricate the conjunctival and corneal surfaces
Describe the location and structure of the conjuctiva
- Location: covers sclera and lines inside of eyelids, forming a conjunctival sac (does not cover over cornea)
- Structure: highly vascular with small blood vessels within the membrane
What is conjunctivitis?
Conjunctivitis (aka pink eye) is an eye condition that causes redness and inflammation of the conjuctiva due to infection or allergy
What is a subconjunctival haemorrhage?
A subconjunctival haemorrhage (aka hyposphagma) is bleeding underneath the conjunctiva due to the rupture of one of the blood vessels in this mucosal layer
What is the physiological effect of blinking?
Blinking washes tear film across front of eye, rinsing and lubricating the conjunctivae and cornea
Which 3 structures maintain the position of the eyeball?
- Suspensory ligament (sits underneath like a sling)
- Rectus muscles
- Orbital fat
The eyeball has three layers.
Identify and describe them
- Outer: tough, fibrous sclera which continues anteriorly as transparent cornea
- Middle: choroid which continues anteriorly as ciliary body and iris (vascular)
- Inner: retina (inner photosensitive layer)