silmäkuoppa

Silmäkuoppa, also known as the orbit, is the bony socket in the skull that houses and protects the eyeball. It is a complex structure formed by several bones of the face and skull. The primary function of the orbit is to safeguard the delicate structures of the eye, including the eyeball itself, the extraocular muscles responsible for eye movement, nerves such as the optic nerve, blood vessels, fat, and connective tissue.

The orbital cavity is roughly pyramidal in shape, with its apex pointing towards the posterior of the skull and its base facing anteriorly. The boundaries of the orbit are formed by eight bones: the frontal bone superiorly, the zygomatic bone laterally and inferiorly, the maxilla inferiorly, the ethmoid bone medially, the lacrimal bone medially and anteriorly, the sphenoid bone medially, laterally, and superiorly, and the palatine bone medially and inferiorly. The fissures and foramina within the orbital walls allow for the passage of nerves and blood vessels essential for vision and eye function.

The contents of the orbit are well-protected by this bony structure, which also provides attachment points for the muscles that control eye movement. The orbital fat cushions the eyeball and aids in its smooth movement within the socket. Inflammation or injury to the orbit can lead to various ophthalmic conditions, affecting vision and eye health.