Three ligaments reinforce the lower eyelid

Abstract

This study was performed to elucidate the ligamentous structures in the lower eyelid other than the Lockwood ligament. Ten lower eyelids (right 5, left 5) of 5 Oriental post-mortems were dissected. The orbital septum was incised along the orbital rim, and then turned over toward the eyelid margin. The orbital fat was exposed and removed as much as possible without injuring the ligamentous structures. The ligamentous structures in the lower eyelid were then investigated macroscopically. There were two other ligaments in the lower eyelid in addition to the Lockwood ligament. All three ligaments originated from the posterior lacrimal crest, but went in different directions. The superior ligament ran on the junction of the orbital septum and the capsulopalpebral fascia, and in the lateral area, it ran on the posterior aspect of the orbital septum and attached to the periosteum of the lateral orbital rim. The inferior ligament went toward the posterior aspect of the inferior oblique muscle after separating from the Lockwood ligament. Ligaments other than the Lockwood ligament were revealed in the lower eyelid. These ligaments are thought to reinforce the fragility of the lower eyelid.