The revised anatomy of the canals connecting the orbit with the cranial cavity

Orbit. 2017 Apr;36(2):110-117. doi: 10.1080/01676830.2017.1279662. Epub 2017 Mar 3.

Abstract

Orbits are connected with the middle cranial fossa via the optic canal, the superior orbital fissure, the M-type orbitomeningeal foramen, the metoptic canal, an accessory anterior opening of the foramen rotundum, and Warwick's canal. They are also in communication with the anterior cranial fossa via the ethmoidal canals and the A-type orbitomeningeal foramen. The anatomy of these conduits has been recently enriched with several details that are summarized and reviewed in this article.

Keywords: Ethmoidal canals; metoptic canal; optic canal; orbit; orbitomeningeal foramen; sphenoid.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anatomic Variation
  • Cranial Fossa, Anterior / anatomy & histology*
  • Cranial Fossa, Middle / anatomy & histology*
  • Ethmoid Bone / anatomy & histology
  • Humans
  • Ophthalmic Artery / anatomy & histology
  • Optic Nerve / anatomy & histology
  • Orbit / anatomy & histology*
  • Sphenoid Bone