Orbit Overview Flashcards
What does the orbit socket contain?
the globe, connective tissue,
extraocular muscles (EOMS),
orbital nerves, blood vessels,
and fat
What three coats (tunics) does the globe
consist of?
Outer fibrous layer (cornea &
sclera), middle vascular layer
(iris, ciliary body, choroid), and
inner neural layer (retina)
What three chambers are filled with fluid in
the globe?
Anterior, posterior, and vitreous
What is the sheet of dense connective tissue
that covers the sclera?
Tenon’s capsule (Bulbar fascia)
Describe the attachment of Tenon’s capsule
Anteriorly merges with sclera/
conjunctiva at the limbus.
Posteriorly is continuous with
the dural sheath of the optic
nerve.
What is the purpose of Tenon’s capsule?
-provides a strong barrier
-separates the globe from
contents of orbit
-prevents orbital infections
from entering the globe
What is the transition between the cornea
and tenon’s capsule/sclera referred to?
Limbus
Why is Tenon’s capsule continuous with
dura sheath posteriorly?
The optic nerve must pierce
sclera and tenon’s capsule to enter the globe
Sheet of dense connective tissue that extends
the entire rim of the orbit to the tarsal
plate
Orbital septum (Palpebral fascia)
Describe the attachment of the orbital septum
Continuous with the periosteum
at the superior and inferior
orbital rim
What is the purpose of the orbital septum?
Anterior barrier of the orbit
-separates the eyelids and
lacrimal sac from the orbit and
keeps the orbital fat in place
What does the orbital septum prevent from
entering the orbit?
Facial/eyelid/nasolacrimal
system infections
Rim where the orbital septum originates
Arcus margins
Sheet of dense connective tissue that covers
the bones of the orbit
periorbital (orbital fascia, periosteum)
Describe the attachment of periorbita
anteriorly- continuous with the
periosteum of facial bones
and orbital septum
posteriorly- continuous with
dural sheath of the ON and
forms the common tendinous
ring
Cranial nerve II
optic nerve
cranial nerve III
oculomotor
cranial nerve IV
Trochlear
cranial nerve V and its branches
Trigeminal
-V1 ophthalmic
-V2 maxillary
-V3 mandibular
cranial nerve VI
abducens
What blood vessels are in the orbit?
-Ophthalmic artery and its
branches
-superior and inferior ophthalmic
vein and its branches
Transverse dense connective tissue located
in the superior orbit and courses from
lateral orbital wall to medial orbital wall
Whitnall’s ligament
What is the function of Whitnall’s ligament?
Provides support and maintains
spatial movement between
anatomic structures in
the superior orbit
How is the Whitnall’s Ligament formed?
By condensation of the levator
muscle and is the point where
the levator muscle fibers end
and the levator aponeurosis
begins