title: Anatomy of medial canthal tendon in Caucasians.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To analyse the anatomy of the medial canthal tendon in Caucasians and to clarify the true anatomical nature of its posterior limb.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was an experimental anatomic study. Seven Caucasian cadavers (11 eyelids; age range: 78-101years at death). Anatomical dissection and histological examination of cadaveric eyelids fixed in 10% buffered formalin was performed. The axial sections were made in parallel with the eyelid margin at 1mm superior or inferior to the upper or lower eyelid margins, respectively. The histological specimens were first dehydrated and embedded in paraffin and then divided into 7µm thickness sections and stained with Masson's trichrome. Microscopic photographs were taken with a digital camera system attached to the microscope.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The posterior limb of the medial canthal tendon was not detected in any of the specimens. The medial check ligament supported the posterior aspect of Horner's muscle and inserted into the medial orbital wall through the periosteum. The lacrimal diaphragm around the posterior lacrimal crest ran almost parallel to Horner's muscle and was usually difficult to distinguish from the tendon of Horner's muscle.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The posterior limb of the medial canthal tendon was not detected in any of the studied specimens. This anatomical structure appears to be Horner's muscle, and the lacrimal diaphragm.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore. eugenie_poh@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Eugenie
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Poh
authors.forename: Hirohiko
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kakizaki
authors.forename: Dinesh
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Selva
authors.forename: Igal
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Leibovitch
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005143:Eyelids / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007765:Lacrimal Apparatus / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008297:Male; D009801:Oculomotor Muscles / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D013710:Tendons / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D044465:White People