Summary

The orbit is a bony structure which contains the eyeball and openings for the passage of the optic nerve (CN 2), vessels and lymphatics. It is composed of seven bones that form four walls.

Bones of the orbit

The orbit is formed by seven bones. These are:

1. Frontal bone
2. Lacrimal bone
3. Ethmoid bone
4. Maxillary bone
5. Zygomatic bone
6. Palatine bone
7. Sphenoid bone

The diagram below shows the bones that are involved in forming the orbital cavity in which the eyeball is placed:

Diagram showing the bones of the orbit.

The walls of the orbit

The orbit has four walls:

• Superior wall (roof)
• Inferior wall (floor)
• Medial wall
• Lateral wall