J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2008 Jul;49(7):1159-1164. 10.3341/jkos.2008.49.7.1159.

Anatomical Evaluation of Extraocular Muscles and Relationships Among Macula and Optic Nerve in Enucleated Eye

• Kim JL
• Lee SG
• Yang JW

• KMID: 1476972
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3341/jkos.2008.49.7.1159

Abstract

PURPOSE
To make an anatomical evaluation of extraocular muscles, macular and optic nerve in enucleated eyes of live subjects and to compare the results with a previous autopsy study.
METHODS
Twenty-four surgically enucleated eyes were studied. The distance from the limbus to the muscle insertion site, muscle width, and the distance between muscle insertion sites were measured and compared with an Apt study. After an incision through the eyeball, a 26-gauge needle was passed perpendicularly through the macula to the sclera. We measured the distances between the oblique muscles and the macula and optic nerves from an external site of the eyeball.
RESULTS
The distance from the limbus to the muscle insertion site showed a significant difference in the superior and inferior rectus muscle. All measurements of muscle widths were significantly narrower than those of autopsy studies. The distances between the muscles were significantly closer between the lateral and superior muscles and between the superior and medial rectus muscles. From the optic nerve to the muscle was 3.99+/-0.62 mm, to the superior oblique muscle was 7.89+/-0.88 mm, to the inferior oblique muscle was 5.95+/-0.83 mm, and the macula to the inferior oblique muscle was 1.35+/-0.42 mm.
CONCLUSIONS
Since most of the measurements were different from those of autopsy studies, we should consider the effects of preservation and fixation solution on autopsy eyes, race, and the differences among measurement instruments.

Keyword

Enucleated eyeball; Limbus-insertion distance; Macula; Muscle width; Optic nerve

MeSH Terms

Autopsy
Continental Population Groups
Dimaprit
Eye
Humans
Muscles
Needles
Optic Nerve
Sclera
Dimaprit

Figure

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  Figure 1. Measurements from an enucleated eyeball. (A) Anterior aspect of the globe showing muscle insertions and the limbus. Arrow indicates distance from the limbus to the anterior midpoint of the muscle insertion. (B) Posterior aspect of the globe showing the optic nerve head and the inferior oblique muscle insertion site. Arrow indicates the distance from the optic nerve to the posterior border of the inferior oblique muscle insertion site.

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  Figure 2. Macula site (arrow) was externally indicated by passing through a 26-gauge needle from inside the macula to outside.

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  Figure 3. Relationships among the optic nerve, superior oblique muscle (SO), inferior oblique muscle (IO), and macula (M). Right eye.

Reference

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