Surgical Spaces, Orbital

Synonyms

Surgical approaches to the orbit

Definition

Surgical spaces, orbital

Structure

The bony orbit is comprised of seven bones (frontal, sphenoid, zygoma, maxilla, palantine, ethmoid, lacrimal) and may be roughly divided into a lateral wall, medial wall, roof, and floor. Its anterior limit is the orbital septum. The boney orbit is configured in a cone shape with its apex posteriorly, and although it contains only roughly 30 cc of volume, it harbors an intricate network of nerves, vessels, and muscles all serving the function of the globe. Several fissures and foramina allow for the entrance and exit of nerves and vessels supplying the soft tissues of the orbit.

The orbital bones are lined with periosteum, also referred to as periorbita, which serves as a fibrous sling surrounding the orbital contents but also creates a potential space between the bone and periosteum. This subperiostealspace can sometimes harbor pathology (e.g., subperiosteal abscesses), but more frequently is...