Structure of the muscles of the upper eyelid.

The human and monkey orbicularis muscle has fibers that are more uniform in size and structure than those of rectus muscles. They have distinct myofibrils, a moderate number of mitochondria, and a well-developed transverse T-tube system. The levator muscle also has relatively uniform fibers, but the myofibrils are less distinct than those of the orbicularis. Especially noteworthy is the unusual arrangement whereby Muller muscle arises directly from the undersurface of the levator muscle, causing an intimate intermingling of smooth and striated fibers. Muller muscle then inserts on the tarsus, whereas the levator muscle extends by an aponeurosis into the septa of the orbicularis muscle. In surgical specimens from patients with ptosis, the levator fibers show varying degrees of abnormality, whereas Muller fibers are normal.