What is the orbit and what is its main function?

The orbit is a paired, pyramidal-shaped bony socket in the skull. Its primary function is to house and protect the eyeball and its associated structures, such as muscles, nerves, and blood vessels.

What are the main bones that form the boundaries of the orbit?

The orbit is formed by several bones, including the roof (frontal and sphenoid bones), floor (maxilla, zygomatic, and palatine bones), medial wall (maxilla, lacrimal, ethmoid, and sphenoid bones), and lateral wall (zygomatic and sphenoid bones).

Which wall of the orbit is the thinnest and which is the strongest?

The medial wall is the thinnest part of the orbit, making it more susceptible to fractures. In contrast, the lateral wall is the strongest, providing robust structural support.

What are the key features found on the roof and floor of the orbit?

Key features on the roof include the fossa for the lacrimal gland, trochlear notch/spine, and optic canal. On the floor, features include the infraorbital groove and canal, and impression for the inferior oblique muscle.

What structures are located adjacent to the orbit?

The orbit is closely related to surrounding structures: above it are the anterior cranial fossa and frontal air sinus, below is the maxillary air sinus, medial are the ethmoidal air sinuses, and lateral are the temporal fossa and middle cranial fossa.

What is the periorbita and what role does it play?

The periorbita is the orbital fascia or periosteum that lines the bony orbit. It forms a funnel-like enclosure for the orbital contents and is continuous with other membranes at openings like the optic canal.

What are the main contents found within the orbit?

The orbit contains the eyeball, extraocular muscles, fascia bulbi, nerves (e.g., optic, oculomotor), ophthalmic artery and veins, lacrimal gland, and orbital fat. Note that the infraorbital and zygomatic nerves lie outside the periorbita.

Orbit – Bony Walls, Fissures & Contents

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