Superior orbital fissure
Last revised by Bahman Rasuli ◉ on 28 Dec 2020
Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
Citation:
Gaillard F, Rasuli B, Hacking C, et al. Superior orbital fissure. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 02 Apr 2023) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-2128
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rID:
2128
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Disclosures:
At the time the article was created Frank Gaillard had no recorded disclosures.
View Frank Gaillard's current disclosuresLast revised:
28 Dec 2020, Bahman Rasuli ◉
Disclosures:
At the time the article was last revised Bahman Rasuli had no recorded disclosures.
View Bahman Rasuli's current disclosuresRevisions:
24 times, by 8 contributors - see full revision history and disclosures
Systems:
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Synonyms:
- Superior orbital fissure (SOF)
- SOF
The superior orbital fissure is the communication between the cavernous sinus and the apex of the orbit. It is straddled by the tendinous ring which is the common origin of the four rectus muscles (extraocular muscles).
Gross anatomy
Boundaries
- medial: body of sphenoid
- superior: lesser wing of sphenoid
- inferior: greater wing of sphenoid
- lateral: frontal bone
Contents
Through the fissure (from superior to inferior) pass:
- lacrimal nerve (a branch of the ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve)
- frontal nerve (a branch of the ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve)
- superior ophthalmic vein
- trochlear nerve (CN IV)
- superior division of the oculomotor nerve (CN III)
- nasociliary nerve (a branch of the ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve)
- inferior division of the oculomotor nerve (CN III)
- abducens nerve (CN VI)
- a branch of the inferior ophthalmic vein
The order of the nerves may be remembered by these mnemonics.
Quiz questions
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References
- 1. Sinnatamby CS, Last RJ. Last's anatomy, regional and applied. Churchill Livingstone. (2006) ISBN:0443100330. Read it at Google Books - Find it at Amazon
- 2. Clemente CD. Anatomy, a regional atlas of the human body. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. (1997) ISBN:0683017330. Read it at Google Books - Find it at Amazon
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