Orbital lamina of ethmoid bone

Orbital Lamina of Ethmoid Bone

Orbital lamina of ethmoid bone (shown in green)

The Orbital Lamina of Ethmoid Bone is a thin, delicate bone structure that forms part of the ethmoid bone in the human skull. It is also known as the lamina papyracea due to its paper-thin quality.

Anatomy

The orbital lamina of ethmoid bone is located on the lateral side of the ethmoid bone, forming part of the medial wall of the orbit. It is bordered superiorly by the frontal bone, inferiorly by the maxilla and palatine bone, and posteriorly by the sphenoid bone.

Structure

The orbital lamina is extremely thin and delicate, hence its name lamina papyracea (paper-thin plate). It is perforated by numerous small foramina for the passage of the ethmoidal nerves and vessels. The lamina is convex and presents a smooth, convex surface towards the orbit, and a rough, concave surface towards the ethmoidal cells.

Clinical Significance

Due to its thinness, the orbital lamina is often the site of fractures, particularly in cases of orbital blowout fracture. It is also a common site for the spread of infection from the ethmoidal cells to the orbit, leading to conditions such as orbital cellulitis.

See Also

• Ethmoid bone
• Orbit (anatomy)
• Orbital blowout fracture
• Orbital cellulitis