Extraconal space

The extraconal orbital compartment or extraconal space is the space within the orbit outside the musculofascial cone. The base of which is anterior and is formed by the orbital septum that surrounds the equator of the globe. The external sides are formed by the bones of the orbit and their periosteum. The internal sides are formed by the extraocular muscles and their surrounding fascia which pass posteriorly and converge on the tendinous ring at the orbital apex. Internal to this space is the intraconal space.

Contents

• nerves
  • trochlear nerve (CN IV)
  • branches of the ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve
    • ​frontal nerve
      • supra-orbital nerve
      • supratrochlear nerve
    • lacrimal nerve
    • nasociliary nerve is intraconal, but gives extraconal branches:
      • anterior ethmoidal nerve
      • posterior ethmoidal nerve
      • infratrochlear nerve
  • branches of the maxillary division of the trigeminal nerve
    • zygomatic nerve
      • zygomaticotemporal nerve
      • zygomaticofacial nerve
    • infra-orbital nerve
• arteries
  • extraconal branches of the ophthalmic artery that have an intraconal origin:
    • lacrimal artery
    • supraorbital artery
    • posterior ethmoidal artery
    • anterior ethmoidal artery
    • internal palpebral artery
    • supratrochlear artery (frontal artery)
    • dorsal nasal artery
  • infra-orbital artery
• veins
  • superior ophthalmic vein
  • inferior ophthalmic vein
  • infra-orbital vein
• lacrimal gland
• fat

Related pathology

• extraconal orbital lesions