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 .The superior orbital fissure is a foramen in the skull, although strictly it is more of a cleft, situated between the lesser and greater wings of the sphenoid bone.
Boundaries of superior orbital fissure
Medial border is formed by body of sphenoid
Superior border is formed by: lesser wing of sphenoid
Inferior border formed by : greater wing of sphenoid.
Lateral border is formed by : frontal bone
What are the structures passing through superior orbital fissure?
A number of important anatomical structures pass through the fissure. These structures are:
For practical purpose SOF is divided into lateral ,middle and medial part.each transmit its own contents
Lateral part of superior orbital fissure transmits the following :
Boundaries of superior orbital fissure
Medial border is formed by body of sphenoid
Superior border is formed by: lesser wing of sphenoid
Inferior border formed by : greater wing of sphenoid.
Lateral border is formed by : frontal bone
What are the structures passing through superior orbital fissure?
A number of important anatomical structures pass through the fissure. These structures are:
- Superior and inferior divisions of oculomotor nerve (III)
- Trochlear nerve (IV)
- Lacrimal, frontal and nasociliary branches of ophthalmic (V1).
- Abducent nerve (VI)
- Superior and inferior divisions of ophthalmic vein. Inferior division also passes through the inferior orbital fissure.
- Sympathetic fibers from cavernous plexus
For practical purpose SOF is divided into lateral ,middle and medial part.each transmit its own contents
Lateral part of superior orbital fissure transmits the following :
- Superior ophthalmic vein,
- Lacrimal nerve, frontal nerve (branch of the ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve)
- Trochlear nerve (CN IV),
- Recurrent meningeal branch of lacrimal artery (anastomotic branch of lacrimal artery with the middle meningeal artery)
- Superior and inferior divisions of the oculomotor nerve (CN III),
- Nasociliary nerve (a branch of the ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve) lies between the two divisions of oculomotor nerve
- Abducent nerve
- Inferior ophthalmic veins
- Sympathetic nerves arising from the plexus that accompanies the internal carotid artery
- 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