Superior and inferior orbital fissures
Learning objectives
After completing this study unit you will be able to:
- Identify the location of the superior and inferior orbital fissures.
- Name the structures that pass through each of the fissures.
Watch a video
The superior and inferior orbital fissures are clefts inside the bony orbit. They are located between the lesser and greater wings of the sphenoid bone, and the sphenoid bone and the maxilla, respectively.
The orbit and the middle cranial fossa communicate via the superior orbital fissure, while the inferior orbital fissure connects the pterygopalatine fossa to the bony orbit. Several important neurovascular structures pass through the superior and inferior orbital fissures.
The following video will provide you with an overview of the structure and contents of the superior and inferior orbital fissures.
Take a quiz
Now that you have watched the video, test your acquired knowledge with our quiz.
Take our custom quiz about the orbit and contents, and choose the topics or individual terms that you want to be tested on.
Browse atlas
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The following gallery will give you an overview of the musculoskeletal components of the superior and inferior orbital fissures:
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/orbital-surface-of-frontal-bone-2/gCwnrxA1sGjKtFMuzBVtww_orbital_surface_of_frontal_bone.png "Orbital surface of frontal bone (Facies orbitalis ossis frontalis); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/orbital-surface-of-greater-wing-of-sphenoid-bone-1/dDpbdd7JmDUMxjfY8Wk9A_orbital_surface_of_greater_wing_of_sphenoid_bone.png "Orbital surface of greater wing of sphenoid bone (Facies orbitalis alae majoris ossis sphenoidalis); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/orbital-surface-of-lesser-wing-of-sphenoid-bone/Qz4xp1W3GHwzDVlBb5h0mg_orbital_surface_of_lesser_wing_of_sphenoid_bone.png "Orbital surface of lesser wing of sphenoid bone (Facies orbitalis alae minoris ossis sphenoidalis); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/orbital-plate-of-ethmoid-bone-4/DfOdahZodMTavpyWWuoorw_orbital_plate_of_ethmoidal_bone.png "Orbital plate of ethmoid bone (Lamina orbitalis ossis ethmoidalis); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/lacrimal-bone-3/oQUbimATgKskACPz1fkxQ_lacrimal_bone.png "Lacrimal bone (Os lacrimale); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/orbital-process-of-palatine-bone-1/pGsS3OSdWwaQXFQaZwM6mA_orbital_process_of_palatine_bone.png "Orbital process of palatine bone (Processus orbitalis ossis palatini); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/orbital-surface-of-maxilla-2/rWiJnqjhK01u6rGQksaNtA_orbital_surface_of_maxilla.png "Orbital surface of maxilla (Facies orbitalis maxillae); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/orbital-surface-of-zygomatic-bone-2/7F8VflzIKtPUkorVIyRgQg_Facies_orbitalis_zygomatic_bone.png "Orbital surface of zygomatic bone (Facies orbitalis ossis zygomatici); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/superior-orbital-fissure-1/kNewkoTfyDSoqcnSr1oFg_superior_orbital_fissure__1_.png "Superior orbital fissure (Fissura orbitalis superior); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/inferior-orbital-fissure-2/VdDVxk5VsxXBmfVusL09Q_599inferior_orbital_fissure.png "Inferior orbital fissure (Fissura orbitalis inferior); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/optic-canal-4/xsdX1YtBJrSQcHJ59f0Qhw_optic_canal.png "Optic canal (Canalis opticus); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/infraorbital-groove-1/CsdtNCMsuz8A70BFJczg_Inferior_orbital_groove.png "Infraorbital groove (Sulcus infraorbitalis); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/anterior-ethmoidal-foramina/3N6tAdWsoa1AXySTMjYhA_anterior_ethmoidal_foramen_magnified.png "Anterior ethmoidal foramen (Foramen ethmoidale anterius); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/posterior-ethmoidal-foramina/oXzlhuc07Be8ANKEQaKqSA_posterior_ethmoidal_foramen_magnified.png "Posterior ethmoidal foramen (Foramen ethmoidale posterius); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/levator-palpebrae-superioris-muscle-4/CNgYsedNFT0aCnvQnq9lVw_levator_palpebrae_superioris_muscle.png "Levator palpebrae superioris muscle (Musculus levator palpebrae superioris); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/superior-oblique-muscle-1/I40i8lBvW05HdS6GSa7g_superior_oblique_muscle.png "Superior oblique muscle (Musculus obliquus superior); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/superior-rectus-muscle-4/7ww28H8xRHASd6iwgF1Q_superior_rectus_muscle.png "Superior rectus muscle (Musculus rectus superior); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/medial-rectus-muscle-6/dq6NMmJGpBxkx5kvUx0o3A_medial_rectus_muscle.png "Medial rectus muscle (Musculus rectus medialis); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/inferior-rectus-muscle-4/WwoaDY6DHDHXxiCQvVoTpw_Inferior_rectus_muscle.png "Inferior rectus muscle (Musculus rectus inferior); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/lateral-rectus-muscle-6/KXx46yq8HGGNzmmyy1sOPA_lateral_rectus_muscle.png "Lateral rectus muscle (Musculus rectus lateralis); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/common-tendinous-ring-1/KKrCoj5iTQHUauNKXMfnyw_common_tendinous_ring.png "Common tendinous ring (of Zinn) (Anulus tendineus communis); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
Explore this gallery to learn more about the contents of the superior orbital fissure and the optic canal:
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/dural-sheath-enclosing-optic-nerve-and-ophthalmic-artery/oXlecjOnHsZGK9ayC8SbQ_dural_sheath_enclosing_optic_nerve_and_ophthalmic_artery_magnified.png "Sheath of optic nerve (Vagina nervi optici); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/optic-nerve-11/gLaFxMBbdWwSFxnKQFp8w_optic_nerve_magnified.png "Optic nerve (Nervus opticus); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/ophthalmic-artery-5/vVqZ9qj46huhQaStNP08tA_ophthalmic_artery_magnified.png "Ophthalmic artery (Arteria ophthalmica); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/frontal-nerve-3/NbjiqrclsIuBpmHBdYWYw_frontal_nerve_magnified.png "Frontal nerve (Nervus frontalis); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/trochlear-nerve-8/KWU6HsYsmsjZKTUvq46Kw_trochlear_nerve_magnified.png "Trochlear nerve (Nervus trochlearis); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/superior-ophthalmic-vein-3/r8NIH4KrZ549bArgDwIDLw_superior_ophthalmic_vein_magnified.png "Superior ophthalmic vein (Vena ophthalmica superior); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/superior-branch-of-oculomotor-nerve-3/YAkYt8p8bM1D2zgf5GdNRw_oculomotor_nerve_superior_division_magnified.png "Superior branch of oculomotor nerve (Ramus superior nervi oculomotorii); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/nasociliary-nerve-3/jDcPs6pFzCK7MeuNNplFg_nasociliary_nerve_magnified.png "Nasociliary nerve (Nervus nasociliaris); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/abducens-nerve-6/ouR3H6flTLpkYjHnFzA3Gg_abducent_nerve_magnified.png "Abducens nerve (Nervus abducens); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/inferior-branch-of-oculomotor-nerve-3/1r62tluSFY1BMhCwHa4MoA_oculomotor_nerve_inferior_division_magnified.png "Inferior branch of oculomotor nerve (Ramus inferior nervi oculomotorii); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/lacrimal-nerve-3/j7CGjaTZFIBQqPOrWD1tiA_lacrimal_nerve_magnified.png "Lacrimal nerve (Nervus lacrimalis); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
The following gallery will provide you with an overview of the contents of the inferior orbital fissure:
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/superior-branch-of-inferior-ophthalmic-vein/ZyT4SJbwnPnFIkU0JGQg_superior_branch_of_inferior_ophthalmic_vein_magni.png "Superior branch of inferior ophthalmic vein (Ramus superior venae ophthalmicae inferioris); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/inferior-branch-of-inferior-ophthalmic-vein/gojGfF8sH8WBrSvFE6X8Tw_inferior_branch_of_inferior_ophthalmic_vein_magni.png "Inferior branch of inferior ophthalmic vein (Ramus inferior venae ophthalmicae inferioris); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/orbital-branches-of-pterygopalatine-ganglion/ILRPOoANBIfC1C3dq97xSA_orbital_branches_of_pterygopalatine_ganglion_magni.png "Orbital branches of pterygopalatine ganglion (Rami orbitales gangli pterygopalatini); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/infraorbital-nerve-5/CX0CjxqjdADGsvDEH7OEg_Infraorbital_nerve_magnified.png "Infraorbital nerve (Nervus infraorbitalis); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/infraorbital-artery-5/OBrthOiYEPKCPCzkOW80Tw_Infraorbital_artery_magnified.png "Infraorbital artery (Arteria infraorbitalis); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/infraorbital-vein-2/xwwhcOuRSNQguNmi2JY5mQ_infraorbital_vein_magni.png "Infraorbital vein (Vena infraorbitalis); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/zygomatic-nerve-3/H6j640a1Kt9HeR6URwkkg_zygomatic_nerve_magnified2.png "Zygomatic nerve (Nervus zygomaticus); Image: Paul Kim"){kind=logo}
Summary
| Definition | Clefts inside the bony orbit |
| Location and function |
Superior orbital fissure: Between lesser and greater wings of sphenoid bone, superolateral to optic canal, connects orbit and medial cranial fossa Inferior orbital fissure: Between sphenoid bone and maxilla, inferolateral to optic canal, connects pterygopalatine fossa to bony orbit |
| Neurovascular contents |
Superior orbital fissure: Lacrimal and frontal nerve (branches of CN V1), trochlear nerve, superior ophthalmic vein, inferior and superior branches of oculomotor nerve, nasociliary nerve (branch of CN V1), abducens nerve, and superior branch of inferior ophthalmic vein Mnemonic: FINALISTS Inferior orbital fissure: Inferior branch of inferior ophthalmic vein, orbital branches of pterygopalatine ganglion, infraorbital nerve (branch of CN V2), infraorbital artery and vein, and zygomatic nerve (branch of CN V2) Mnemonic: ZOIII |
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