LATERAL RECTUS SPINE OF THE SUPERIOR ORBITAL FISSURE

INCIDENCE OF DIFFERENT TYPES

Abstract

T he spine of the lateral rectus muscle is found at the lower border of the superior orbital fissure, at the
junction of the broad medial and narrow lateral portions. OBJECTIVE: The present study was made to
assess the frequency of occurrence, various shapes and position of the spine in the orbits. MATERIAL &
METHODS: Four hundred dried human orbits from 200 well preserved skulls selected from the Anatomy
Department of Punjab Medical College Faisalabad and K.E. Medical College Lahore, were examined by
naked eye and by hand lens examination. RESULTS: Frequency: Bilateral spine present 15%, unilateral
spine RT 65%, LT 57.5%, Bilateral spine absent 16%. Shape: Spine 64%,, Tubercle 20%, Tongue shape 2%,
Two spines 1.5%, Irregular spine 6.5%. CONCLUSIONS: There is variation in the frequency , shape and
position of different types of lateral rectus spine of the superior orbital fissure, this may be due to different
regional and racial differences.