title: No raphe identified in the orbicularis oculi muscle.
abstract: This study was performed to elucidate whether the raphe of the orbicularis oculi muscle (raphe) exists or not. Nine upper eyelids of 6 Oriental cadavers with ages at death ranging from 72 to 91 years were dissected; 6 for gross dissections and 3 for histological slice sections. After removing the lateral half of the eyelid skin, the lateral part of the orbicularis oculi muscle and its subjacent tissue were observed macroscopically. The full layered tissue of the 8 mm lateral part from the orbital rim was incised perpendicularly and sections sliced, which were then observed microscopically after staining with the hematoxylin and eosin. The raphe was not identified macroscopically or microscopically. The lateral part of the orbicularis oculi muscle was continuous without the tendinous intercalation; under it, fibrous connective tissue corresponding to the lateral orbital thickening was observed, and in which the band configuration, microscopically the tendinous structure, was formed. The raphe was not identified. The physiological role of the lateral part of the orbicularis oculi muscle is maintained by a less tight attachment of the lateral orbital thickening, but not by the raphe.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Aichi Medical University. Nagakute-cho, Aichi-gun, Aichi, 480-1195, Japan. cosme@d1.dion.ne.jp
authors.forename: Hirohiko
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kakizaki
authors.forename: Masahiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zako
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nakano
authors.forename: Ken
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Asamoto
authors.forename: Osamu
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Miyaishi
authors.forename: Toshiaki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Miyagawa
authors.forename: Masayoshi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Iwaki
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D044466:Asian People; D001767:Blinking / Q000502:physiology; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology; D004210:Dissection / Q000379:methods; D005143:Eyelids / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology; D005152:Facial Muscles / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D013710:Tendons / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology