Orbital cavity

Orbital Cavity

The Orbital Cavity or Eye Socket is a complex, bony structure in the skull that houses and protects the eye and its associated structures. It is a key component of the visual system, and its health and integrity are essential for normal vision.

Anatomy[edit | edit source]

The orbital cavity is a pear-shaped structure that is wider at the front and narrower at the back. It is formed by 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 orbital cavity, providing a rigid structure that protects the eye and its associated structures.

The orbital cavity contains several important structures, including the eye, extraocular muscles, optic nerve, blood vessels, and nerves. The extraocular muscles control the movement of the eye, while the optic nerve transmits visual information from the eye to the brain. The blood vessels provide oxygen and nutrients to the eye and its associated structures, while the nerves provide sensory and motor innervation.

Clinical Significance[edit | edit source]

Diseases and conditions that can affect the orbital cavity include orbital cellulitis, orbital fractures, thyroid eye disease, and tumors. These conditions can cause symptoms such as pain, swelling, double vision, and vision loss. Treatment depends on the specific condition and may include medication, surgery, or radiation therapy.

Orbital cellulitis is an infection of the tissues within the orbital cavity, while orbital fractures are breaks in the bones that form the orbital cavity. Thyroid eye disease is an autoimmune condition that causes inflammation and swelling in the tissues of the orbital cavity, while tumors can grow within the orbital cavity and compress the eye and its associated structures.