Orbital septum
Latin	septum orbitale
Gray's	subject #227 1026

The orbital septum (palpebral ligament) is a membranous sheet that acts as the anterior boundary of the orbit. It extends from the orbital rims to the eyelids.

In the upper eyelid it blends with the tendon of the Levator palpebræ superioris, and in the lower eyelid with the tarsal plate.^[1]

When the eyes are closed, the whole orbital opening is covered by the septum and tarsi. Medially it is thin, and, becoming separated from the medial palpebral ligament, attaches to the lacrimal bone at its posterior crest. The medial ligament and its much weaker lateral counterpart, attached to the septum and orbit, keep the lids stable as the eye moves. ^[2]

The septum is perforated by the vessels and nerves which pass from the orbital cavity to the face and scalp.

With age the septum may weaken, and as a result orbital fat may herniate forwards. The operation to correct this is called blepharoplasty.

[edit] References

1. ^ Meyer DR, Linberg JV, Wobig JL, et al.: Anatomy of the orbital septum and associated eyelid connective tissues. Ophthalmic Plast Reconstr Surg 7:104, 1991
2. ^ "eye, human."Encyclopædia Britannica. 2008. Encyclopædia Britannica 2006 Ultimate Reference Suite DVD 2008"

[edit] External links

• MedEd at Loyola grossanatomy/dissector/labs/h_n/orbit/main.html
• Brémond-Gignac D, Deplus S, Cussenot O, Lassau J (1994). "Anatomic study of the orbital septum (22.10.93)". Surg Radiol Anat 16 (1): 121–4. doi:10.1007/BF01627937. PMID 8047962. 
• Diagram at drmeronk.com

This article was originally based on an entry from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy. As such, some of the information contained within it may be outdated.

v • d • e Head and neck anatomy – accessory organs of the eye / adnexa (TA 15.2.7, GA 10.1021) Eyelid Palpebral fissure/Canthus • Eyelash • Tarsus • Medial palpebral ligament • Epicanthic fold • Meibomian gland • Ciliary glands Lacrimal apparatus Lacrimal lake • Lacrimal gland • Lacrimal canaliculi • Lacrimal punctum • Lacrimal papilla • Nasolacrimal duct • Lacrimal sac • Lacrimal caruncle • Krause's glands Other Periorbita • Orbital septum • Tenon's capsule • Suspensory ligament of eyeball Eyebrow Conjunctiva (Plica semilunaris) Extraocular muscles (Trochlea of superior oblique) eye navs: anat/adnexa anat/pathways/physio/dev, noncongen/congen/neoplasia, eponymous signs, proc

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