A novel description of the supporting system of the orbicularis oculi muscle in the infraorbital area: Tear trough muscle fiber

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to elucidate the anatomical structures of supporting system of the infraorbital area.

Materials and methods: Forty-four hemifaces from eleven Korean and eleven Thai cadavers were used to dissect the infraorbital area. Based on the dissection and previous histologic results, they were analyzed.

Results: The orbicularis oculi muscle (OOc) had two portions (palpebral and orbital portion) and four subparts (pretarsal, preseptal, prezygomatic, and premaxillary part). The elliptical muscle fiber of OOc was supported by circumferential connective tissue including skin ligament, orbicularis retaining ligament, zygomatic ligament, and zygomatic cutaneous ligament. The vertical muscle fiber, the tear trough muscle fiber, and medial muscular band directly attached to the skin.

Conclusion: Full of subcutaneous tissue in the tear trough groove, strong attachment to the bone by tear trough ligament and to the skin by tear trough muscle fiber would multiply result in the tear trough on the face.

Keywords: Fat compartment; Festoon; Infraorbital aging change; Orbicularis retaining ligament.