Superior orbital fissure

Superior orbital fissure
Details
Part ofsphenoid bone
Systemskeletal
Latinfissura orbitalis superior
Anatomical terms of bone

The superior orbital fissure is a foramen or cleft in the skull. It lies between the lesser and greater wings of the sphenoid bone. It allows for many structures to pass, including the oculomotor nerve, the trochlear nerve, the ophthalmic nerve, the abducens nerve, the ophthalmic vein, and sympathetic fibres from the cavernous plexus.

Structure

The superior orbital fissure lies between the lesser and greater wings of the sphenoid bone.[1] It is between the optic canal (in front) and the foramen rotundum (behind).[1]

Structures passing through

A number of important anatomical structures pass through the fissure, and these can be damaged in orbital trauma, particularly blowout fractures through the floor of the orbit into the maxillary sinus. These structures are:

It is divided into 3 parts from lateral to medial:

Variation

The superior orbital fissure is usually 22 mm wide in adults.[1]

Clinical significance

Superior orbital fissure.

The abducens nerve is most likely to show signs of damage first, with the most common complaints retro-orbital pain and the involvement of cranial nerves III, IV, V1, and VI without other neurological signs or symptoms. This presentation indicates either compression of structures in the superior orbital fissure or the cavernous sinus.

Superior orbital fissure syndrome, is a neurological disorder that occurs when the superior orbital fissure is fractured.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Weinzweig, Jeffrey; Taub, Peter J.; Bartlett, Scott P. (2010). "46 - Fractures of the Orbit". Plastic Surgery Secrets Plus (2nd ed.). Chicago: Mosby. pp. 299–307. doi:10.1016/B978-0-323-03470-8.00046-6. ISBN 978-0-323-03470-8. Archived from the original on 2021-08-18. Retrieved 2022-01-15.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Barral, Jean-Pierre; Crobier, Alain (2009-01-01). "9 - Manipulation of the plurineural orifices". Manual Therapy for the Cranial Nerves. Churchill Livingstone. pp. 51–57. doi:10.1016/B978-0-7020-3100-7.50012-4. ISBN 978-0-7020-3100-7. Archived from the original on 2022-03-05. Retrieved 2022-01-15.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  3. Patel, Swetal (2015). "20 - The Oculomotor Nerve". Nerves and Nerve Injuries. Vol. 1: History, Embryology, Anatomy, Imaging, and Diagnostics. Academic Press. pp. 305–309. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-410390-0.00021-4. ISBN 978-0-12-410390-0. Archived from the original on 2021-08-18. Retrieved 2022-01-15.


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