The orbits--anatomical features in view of innovative surgical methods.
The aim of this article is to update on anatomical key elements of the orbits in reference to surgical innovations. This is a selective literature review supplemented with the personal experience of the authors, using illustrations and photographs of anatomical dissections. The seven osseous components of the orbit can be conceptualized into a simple geometrical layout of a four-sided pyramid with the anterior aditus as a base and the posterior cone as apex. All neurovascular structures pass through bony openings in the sphenoid bone before diversification in the mid and anterior orbit. A set of landmarks such as the optic and maxillary strut comes into new focus. Within the topographical surfaces of the internal orbit the lazy S-shaped floor and the posteromedial bulge are principal determinants for the ocular globe position. The inferomedial orbital strut represents a discernible sagittal buttress. The periorbita and orbital soft tissue contents--extraocular muscles, septae, neurovasculature--are detailed and put into context with periorbital dissection.
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Ludwig Maximilians University, Munich, Germany.
Carl-Peter
CP
Cornelius
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Ludwig Maximilians University, Munich, Germany.
Peter
P
Mayer
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Ludwig Maximilians University, Munich, Germany.
Michael
M
Ehrenfeld
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Albert Ludwigs University, Freiburg, Germany.
Marc Christian
MC
Metzger
D059925:Anatomic Landmarks; D006801:Humans; D009915:Orbit / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000601:surgery*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000639:trends*