Connection lost. Please refresh the page.
Online
Get help How to study
English
Login Register
Anatomy
Basics
Terminology Introduction to the musculoskeletal system Introduction to the other systems
Upper limb
Overview Shoulder and arm Elbow and forearm Wrist and hand Nerves and vessels
Lower limb
Overview Hip and thigh Knee and leg Ankle and foot Nerves and vessels
Spine and back
Overview Spine Back
Thorax
Thoracic wall Female breast Mediastinum Lungs Heart
Abdomen
Abdominal wall Peritoneum Stomach Spleen Liver Pancreas Small intestine Large intestine Kidneys and ureters Nerves, vessels and lymphatics of the abdomen
Pelvis and perineum
Pelvic girdle and floor Female pelvis and reproductive organs Male pelvis and reproductive organs Urinary bladder and urethra Perineum Nerves, vessels and lymphatics of the pelvis
Head and neck
Overview Skull Face and scalp Infratemporal region and pterygopalatine fossa Orbit and contents Nasal region Ear Oral cavity Teeth Pharynx Neck
Neuroanatomy
Overview Cerebrum Diencephalon Cerebellum Brainstem Meninges, ventricular system and subarachnoid space Blood supply of the brain Spinal cord Pathways of the nervous system Cranial nerves Peripheral nervous system
Cross sections
Head and neck Upper limb Thorax Abdomen Male pelvis Female pelvis Lower limb
Radiological anatomy
Head and neck Thorax Abdomen and pelvis Upper limb Lower limb
Histology
Types of tissues
Introduction to cells and tissues Epithelial tissue Connective tissue Cartilage and bone Muscle tissue Nervous tissue
Body systems
Cardiovascular system Nervous system Integumentary system Respiratory system Urinary system Endocrine system Digestive system Lymphoid system Male reproductive system Female reproductive system Eye and ear
AnatomyHead and neckFace and scalpInferior orbital fissure
Table of contents
Ready to learn?
Pick your favorite study tool

Register now and grab your free ultimate anatomy study guide!

AnatomyHead and neckFace and scalpInferior orbital fissure

Inferior orbital fissure

Author: Ruvimbo Chiswo, MD • Reviewer: Dimitrios Mytilinaios, MD, PhD
Last reviewed: March 13, 2024
Reading time: 2 minutes

Recommended video: Superior and inferior orbital fissures [20:23]
Structure and contents of the orbital fissures and the optic canal.
Inferior orbital fissure
Fissura orbitalis inferior
1/4
Synonyms: Sphenomaxillary fissure, Fissura sphenomaxillaris , show more...

The inferior orbital fissure is a cleft that separates the lateral wall of the orbit from the floor of the orbit. 

The inferior orbital fissure runs in an anterolateral direction, from the posterior aspect of the maxilla to the anterior region of the zygomatic bone. It lies inferolateral to the optic canal and inferior to the superior orbital fissure. The borders of this fissure include the greater wing of the sphenoid bone, maxilla, palatine and zygomatic bones.

Posteriorly, the inferior orbital fissure links the orbit with the pterygopalatine fossa. It is also allows communication between the infratemporal fossa and orbit, as well as the temporal fossa and orbit. The inferior orbital fissure opens into the posterolateral aspect of the orbital floor. This allows the passage of several neurovascular structures through the fissure. These include the infraorbital nerve and artery, zygomatic nerve, inferior branch of the inferior ophthalmic vein and the orbital branches of the pterygopalatine ganglion. 

Terminology English: Inferior orbital fissure
Synyonyms: Sphenomaxillary fissure

Latin: Fissura orbitalis inferior
Synonyms: Fissura orbitalis sphenomaxillaris
Location Floor of the bony orbit 
Contents Infraorbital nerve, zygomatic nerve, inferior branch of the inferior ophthalmic vein, infraorbital artery and the orbital branches of the pterygopalatine ganglion

Learn more about the inferior orbital fissure in this study unit: 

Superior and inferior orbital fissures Explore study unit

Sources

All content published on Kenhub is reviewed by medical and anatomy experts. The information we provide is grounded on academic literature and peer-reviewed research. Kenhub does not provide medical advice. You can learn more about our content creation and review standards by reading our content quality guidelines.

Drake, R., A.W. Vogl, A.W., Mitchell, A.W. M. (2015). Gray’s Anatomy for Students, 3rd Edition, Churchill Livingston Elsevier. 

Moore, K.L., Agur, A.M.R., Dalley, A.F. (2015). Essential Clinical Anatomy, 5th Edition, Wolters Kluwer.

Inferior orbital fissure : want to learn more about it?

Our engaging videos, interactive quizzes, in-depth articles and HD atlas are here to get you top results faster.

What do you prefer to learn with?

Videos Quizzes Both

“I would honestly say that Kenhub cut my study time in half.” – Read more.

Kim Bengochea Kim Bengochea, Regis University, Denver
© Unless stated otherwise, all content, including illustrations are exclusive property of Kenhub GmbH, and are protected by German and international copyright laws. All rights reserved.

Register now and grab your free ultimate anatomy study guide!