title: Location of the zygomatico-orbital foramen on the inferolateral orbital wall: clinical implications.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the location of the zygomatico-orbital foramen on the inferolateral orbital wall.
  
  
  METHODS
  This anatomic study examined 28 orbits of 14 dry human adult skulls. The zygomatico-orbital foramen was identified by passing a thin wire from the zygomatico-facial foramen to its orbital aspect and a thin flexible ruler was used to measure 1) the distance perpendicular to the closest point on the inferior orbital rim, 2) the distance from the inferior orbital fissure, and 3) the distance from the area used for retrobulbar injections.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean distance from the zygomatico-orbital foramen to the closest point on the inferior orbital rim was 4.7 mm (range from 1 to 7 mm). The mean distance from the inferior orbital fissure was 14.9 mm (range from 10 to 18 mm). The mean distance from the area of retrobulbar injection was 6.0 mm (range from 3 to 10 mm).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The location of the zygomatico-orbital foramen within the inferolateral orbit is quite variable. This is the first study to attempt to quantify its proximity to the site of retrobulbar injection. We conclude that it is an important anatomical structure to consider when giving retrobulbar anesthesia, especially given the variability in technique among ophthalmologists.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, NYU Langone Medical Center , New York , USA and.
authors.forename: Payal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: Irina
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Belinsky
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Howard
authors.forename: Richard N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Palu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D009915:Orbit / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D012886:Skull / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D015050:Zygoma / Q000033:anatomy & histology*