Eye socket

Eye socket

The eye socket or orbital socket is a hollow, bony cavity in the skull that houses the eye and its associated structures. It is a complex structure formed by several different bones.

Anatomy

The eye socket is made up of seven bones: the frontal bone, zygomatic bone, maxillary bone, sphenoid bone, ethmoid bone, lacrimal bone, and the palatine bone. These bones form the walls of the socket, providing protection for the eye and its associated structures.

The eye socket is lined with a thin, soft tissue called the conjunctiva, which also covers the front of the eye. The socket also contains the extraocular muscles, which control the movement of the eye, and the optic nerve, which transmits visual information from the eye to the brain.

Functions

The primary function of the eye socket is to protect the eye from injury. Its bony structure provides a hard shell that shields the eye from impact. The socket also holds the eye in place and allows it to move in different directions.

In addition, the eye socket houses the lacrimal apparatus, which produces and drains tears. This helps to keep the eye moist and free of dust and debris.

Related Conditions

There are several medical conditions that can affect the eye socket, including:

• Orbital cellulitis: This is a serious infection of the tissues in the eye socket. It can cause pain, swelling, and vision problems.

• Orbital fracture: This is a break in one or more of the bones that make up the eye socket. It can result from trauma to the face, such as a blow or impact.

• Orbital tumors: These are growths that can develop in the eye socket. They can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).

See Also

• Eye anatomy
• Orbital diseases
• Orbital surgery

Eye socket Resources
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