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AnatomyHead and neckOrbit and contents
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Superior and inferior orbital fissures

Learning objectives

After completing this study unit you will be able to:

  1. Identify the location of the superior and inferior orbital fissures.
  2. Name the structures that pass through each of the fissures.

Watch a video

The superior and inferior orbital fissures are clefts inside the bony orbit. They are located between the lesser and greater wings of the sphenoid bone, and the sphenoid bone and the maxilla, respectively.

The orbit and the middle cranial fossa communicate via the superior orbital fissure, while the inferior orbital fissure connects the pterygopalatine fossa to the bony orbit. Several important neurovascular structures pass through the superior and inferior orbital fissures.

The following video will provide you with an overview of the structure and contents of the superior and inferior orbital fissures.

Take a quiz

Now that you have watched the video, test your acquired knowledge with our quiz.

Take our custom quiz about the orbit and contents, and choose the topics or individual terms that you want to be tested on.

Custom quiz: Orbit and contents For a broader topic focus, try this customizable quiz.

Browse atlas

The following gallery will give you an overview of the musculoskeletal components of the superior and inferior orbital fissures:

Orbital surface of frontal bone
Facies orbitalis ossis frontalis
1/21
Synonyms: Orbital plate of frontal bone, Orbital part of frontal bone , show more...

Explore this gallery to learn more about the contents of the superior orbital fissure and the optic canal:

Sheath of optic nerve
Vagina nervi optici
1/11
Synonyms: Dural sheath of optic nerve

The following gallery will provide you with an overview of the contents of the inferior orbital fissure:

Superior branch of inferior ophthalmic vein
Ramus superior venae ophthalmicae inferioris
1/7
Synonyms: none

Summary

Key points about the superior and inferior orbital fissures
Definition Clefts inside the bony orbit
Location and function Superior orbital fissure:
Between lesser and greater wings of sphenoid bone, superolateral to optic canal, connects orbit and medial cranial fossa

Inferior orbital fissure:
Between sphenoid bone and maxilla, inferolateral to optic canal, connects pterygopalatine fossa to bony orbit
Neurovascular contents Superior orbital fissure:
Lacrimal and frontal nerve (branches of CN V1), trochlear nerve, superior ophthalmic vein, inferior and superior branches of oculomotor nerve, nasociliary nerve (branch of CN V1), abducens nerve, and superior branch of inferior ophthalmic vein

Mnemonic: FINALISTS

Inferior orbital fissure:
Inferior branch of inferior ophthalmic vein, orbital branches of pterygopalatine ganglion, infraorbital nerve (branch of CN V2), infraorbital artery and vein, and zygomatic nerve (branch of CN V2)

Mnemonic: ZOIII

Well done!

Related articles

Bones of the orbit Read article
Nerves of the orbit Read article
Arteries and veins of the orbit Read article

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