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Canthus

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Dorlands/Elsevier
  
c_05/12210029

Canthus

Canthus (pl. canthi, palpebral commissures) is either corner of the eye where the upper and lower eyelids meet. More specifically, the inner and outer canthi are, respectively, the medial and lateral ends/angles of the palpebral fissure.

Contents

The bicanthal plane is the transversal plane linking both canthi and defines the upper boundary of the midface.

Commissures

  • The lateral palpebral commissure'(commissura palpebrarum lateralis; external canthus) is more acute than the medial, and the eyelids here lie in close contact with the bulb of the eye.
  • The medial palpebral commissure (commissura palpebrarum medialis; internal canthus) is prolonged for a short distance toward the nose, and the two eyelids are separated by a triangular space, the lacus lacrimalis.

    • Surgery

    Canthoplasty refers to a plastic surgery of the medial and/or lateral canthus.

    A canthotomy involves cutting the canthus, often performed to release excessive orbital pressure (i.e., from orbital hemorrhage or infection).

    Pathology

    Dystopia canthorum is a lateral displacement of the inner canthi of the eyes, giving an appearance of a widened nasal bridge. It is associated with Waardenburg syndrome.

    References

    Canthus Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA


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