Periorbitalregion

The periorbital region is the anatomical area surrounding the orbit of the eye, including the eyelids and the surrounding soft tissues. It extends from the superior orbital margin near the eyebrow to the inferior orbital rim below, and from the medial canthus near the nose to the lateral canthus near the temporal region. The region comprises skin, subcutaneous tissue, the orbital septum, orbital fat, and the muscles that move the eyelids and the eyeball, along with the lacrimal apparatus.

Key components include the eyelids (palpebrae) with the orbicularis oculi muscle encircling them, the levator palpebrae superioris (which elevates the upper lid), and facial expression muscles such as the corrugator and procerus. The orbital septum acts as a barrier between the periorbital soft tissues and the contents of the orbit. The lacrimal gland and lacrimal drainage system lie within or adjacent to the periorbital region, contributing to tear production and tear drainage.

Nerve supply, blood flow, and lymphatics reflect its proximity to the face and orbit. Sensation is primarily from branches of the trigeminal nerve (notably the supraorbital and supratrochlear nerves), while the vascular supply includes branches of the ophthalmic artery with venous drainage to the facial and cavernous sinus via the superior and inferior ophthalmic veins. Lymphatic drainage commonly involves preauricular, submandibular, and facial nodes.

Clinically, the periorbital region is involved in conditions such as preseptal (periorbital) cellulitis, orbital cellulitis, blepharitis, edema, and trauma. Its anatomy is essential to ophthalmology, dermatology, and plastic and maxillofacial surgery.