title: Microscopic characteristics of the inferior tarsal muscle and its surroundings in Korean.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the detailed microscopic anatomic structures of the lower eyelid in Korean cadavers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight lower eyelids of 4 formalin-fixed Asian cadavers (4 males; age range, 48-69 years; mean age, 60.2 years) were examined. Three perpendicular dissected sections with a 2mm thickness were obtained from each eyelid to investigate anatomic shapes, size and relationship with surrounding structures. One section was obtained from the midline and 2 the other sections were obtained from a 3mm apart from the lateral and medial tarsus margins.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The inferior tarsal muscle fibers were not directly attached to the tarsus but were only linked to the tarsus with enclosed fibrous fascia. The inferior tarsal muscles connected loosely with the capsulopalpebral fascia anteriorly and the conjunctiva posteriorly. The inferior tarsal muscle runs horizontally to the tarsus according to the shape of muscle fibers. The capsulopalpebral fascia consisted of an anterior and posterior layer. The anterior layer reached the orbital septum and subcutaneous fat but the posterior layer forwarded into the tarsus. Lockwood's ligament was separated from the inferior tarsal muscle and capsulopalpebral fascia or fused into the capsulopalpebral fascia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggests that the inferior tarsal muscle which runs horizontally and doesn't insert directly into the tarsus, plays an important role in the movement and localization of the lower eyelid.
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, Maryknoll Hospital, 12-4 Ga, DaeChung-Dong, Jung-Gu, Busan 600-730, Korea.
authors: Jung Min
authors: JM
authors: Park
authors: Mee Sook
authors: MS
authors: Roh
authors: Moo Hyun
authors: MH
authors: Kim
authors: Woo Jin
authors: WJ
authors: Jeung
authors: Won Yeol
authors: WY
authors: Ryu
authors: Yoon Hyung
authors: YH
authors: Kwon
authors: Hee Bae
authors: HB
authors: Ahn
keywords: capsulopalpebral fascia; inferior tarsal muscle; lower eyelid
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