Extraocular Muscles Morphometry and their Surgical Importance

Abstract

Extraocular muscles (EOM) are important references in strabismus surgery and in placement of intraorbital devices. We conducted a descriptive, observational, cross‐sectional and non‐comparative study that includes an analysis of the EOM morphometry and possible anatomical variances in twenty orbits. We report the length, width, and points of insertion of the EOM. No anatomical variations were found. With regard to the rectus muscles, it was found that the superior rectus and lateral rectus are the longest muscles and that the width difference between the superior and inferior rectus is greater than that between the medial and lateral rectus and that the point of insertion of the rectus muscles has a variable morphology. It was observed that, in the oblique muscles, the width of the superior oblique is comparatively the smallest and the inferior oblique morphology coincides with and complements what has been reported in previous studies. Knowledge of the detailed morphology of EOM is fundamental in strabismus surgery and represents a key factor for the innovation of surgical techniques and orbital procedures.