Indian Journal of Ophthalmology

BRIEF REPORT
Year
: 2005  |  Volume : 53  |  Issue : 3  |  Page : 198--200

Aberrant attachment of orbicularis oculi: Case report


Ritu Sehgal, JM Kaul 
 Department of Anatomy, Maulana Azad Medical College and Associated Hospitals, New Delhi -110 002, India

Correspondence Address:
Ritu Sehgal
A-385, Sector 31, Noida (UP) - 201 301
India

Abstract

A morphological peculiarity was observed in the form of an aberrant lateral bony attachment of the orbital part of the Orbicularis oculi muscle on the zygomatic bone, during routine dissection of a cadaver of an adult male of Indian origin. Fibers of this part of the muscle are not known to show any lateral attachment on bone. This paper discusses the presentation, probable embryological cause and clinical implications of this unusual finding.



How to cite this article:
Sehgal R, Kaul J M. Aberrant attachment of orbicularis oculi: Case report.Indian J Ophthalmol 2005;53:198-200


How to cite this URL:
Sehgal R, Kaul J M. Aberrant attachment of orbicularis oculi: Case report. Indian J Ophthalmol [serial online] 2005 [cited 2024 Mar 28 ];53:198-200
Available from: https://journals.lww.com/ijo/pages/default.aspx/text.asp?2005/53/3/198/16682


Full Text

Orbicularis oculi is a broad, flat, elliptical muscle which surrounds the circumference of the orbit and has three functionally distinct parts. The orbital part of this muscle arises from the nasal part of the frontal bone, the frontal process of the maxilla and the medial palpebral ligament between them.[1] The orbital orbicularis then spreads above on the forehead, laterally on the temple and below on the cheek, overlapping parts of frontal and zygomatic bones, anterior temporal fascia as well as elevators of upper lip and nostril. [2] Its fibers form complete ellipses without interruption on the lateral side, where there is no bony attachment. [1]

 Case Report



During routine dissection of a cadaver of an adult male of Indian origin (approximate age: 25-35 years), with no obvious congenital abnormalities or marks indicating surgical intervention, the right orbicularis oculi muscle was found to have a lateral bony attachment.

The orbital part of the muscle was found to have a typical origin from the frontal process of maxilla, the nasal part of frontal bone and the medial palpebral ligament. However, the fibers instead of making concentric loops and sweeping upwards and laterally, were attached to the supero-lateral aspect of the body of zygomatic bone [Figure 1]. The inferior part of the fascicle of orbicularis oculi had a less defined upper bundle and a well-defined lower bundle of fibers. The upper less defined bundle was found to pass imperceptibly in a concentric manner and then become fibrotic in nature. The lower well-defined bundle passed almost horizontally lateral and then attached onto the supero-lateral aspect of the zygomatic bone (paper slip has been placed under it, as shown in [Figure 1] and [Figure 2]. The orbital part of the left orbicularis oculi muscle had the typical concentric arrangement of fibers with no lateral attachment. The zygomaticus major and minor muscles of both sides were seen at their normal position.

 Discussion



Orbicularis oculi develops from mesenchyme in the second pharyngeal or hyoid arch.[3] The musculature of pharyngeal arches is derived from the paraxial mesoderm of somitomeres and occipital somites. In the second arch, paraxial mesoderm from the sixth cranial somitomere gives rise to muscles of face including orbicularis oculi.[4] Their differentiation begins at the 10-12 mm stage of the embryo. Cells from the second arch begin to grow backwards and upward and spread over the first pharyngeal (mandibular) arch, just under the dermis. This process of differentiation lasts till the 16th week although minor modifications occur later.[5] It may be theorised that during this stage of differentiation a few fibers of orbicularis oculi get displaced and obtain a bony attachment on the zygomatic bone laterally. The myoblast cells are derived from an adjacent somitomere and their fate is not determined. Therefore, a probable cause of the aberrant muscle is the abnormal migration of the myoblast cells deviating from their predestined fate.

The attachment of the muscle fascicles of orbicularis oculi at a variant site may cause wrinkling of the skin at an abnormal site. It is well documented that the characteristic folding of the skin overlying the contracting orbicularis oculi, leads to permanent wrinkles radiating from the lateral angle of the eyelids in the middle decades of life - the so-called 'crow's feet'. [2]

Naugle and co-workers[6] have demonstrated the value of mobilisation of orbicularis oculi muscle in periocular reconstruction. Yen et al[7] predict future applications for the orbicularis oculi muscle graft in facial aesthetics, particularly as useful adjuncts to replace the volume deficit deformity created by protractor myectomy in patients with essential blepharospasm . During any such procedure, the orbicularis oculi which normally has bony attachment only on the medial side, can usually be lifted clean off the zygomatic bone on the lateral side as required. Knowledge of the described variant lateral attachment may thus be of practical use to the plastic surgeon during cosmetic facial surgery.

References

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2Bron AJ, Tripathi RC, Tripathi BJ. The ocular appendages: eyelids, conjunctiva and lacrimal apparatus. In : Wolff's Anatomy of the Eye and Orbit. 8th edition. Bron AJ, Tripathi RC, Tripathi BJ. editors. London: Chapman and Hall Medical; 1997. p. 30-84.
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5Mann I. The development of the human eye. New York: Grune & Stratton; 1950.
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