General Medical Information

Bony orbit

Susan D. John
Michael D. Maves

The bony orbit consists of the medial wall occupied largely by the ethmoid bone, lacrimal bone, and a portion of the nasal process of the maxilla. The floor of the orbit consists of the roof of the maxilla. The inferior orbital fissure is at its lateral extent. The zygomatic bone and greater wing of the sphenoid form the lateral orbital wall and join the frontal bone superiorly to complete the pyramidal bony orbit. On its medial aspect are the paired ethmoidal foramina, which provide a route to the orbit for the anterior and posterior ethmoidal arteries. The optic canal posteriorly transmits the optic nerve and ophthalmic artery. The superior orbital fissure transmits cranial nerves III, IV, V, and VI and provides an aperture for the ophthalmic vein.