New insights in the human orbital connective tissue. Result of a new anatomical approach.

Exenteration and dissection of the collapsed specimen has so far been standard procedure in the anatomic study of the orbital contents. If, as in surgery, the orbit is approached through the palpebral aperture and its connective tissue is kept extended in the framework of the oribital walls, hitherto unrecognized septa of connective tissue are found, containing vessels, nerves, and smooth muscular tissue. No anatomic evidence was found for the existence of a common muscle sheath behind the globe, subdividing the orbit into central and peripheral surgical spaces. The study of serial sections of complete orbits shows a definite structural organization and constant pattern of this connective tissue system. The relations of the eye muscles and the eyeball with these connective tissue structures, the periorbit and the enclosed fat cushions, are of interest with reference to normal motions of the globe.