Anatomical Observation Of The Lateral Descending Orbicularis Oculi Muscle And Its Anatomical Observation In The Wrinkle Removal Of The Temporal And Cheek

Background:Nowadays,with the increasing demands for the outcome of rhytidectomy and the in-depth studies of periorbital anatomy,a unique anatomical structure called depressor orbicularis lateralis was found,which had also been reported on its anatomy and function.This muscle bundle runs vertically and independently lateral to the orbicularis oculi muscle and ends at the subcutaneous tissue of the lateral orbit.It ean pull down the lateral eyebrow,which participates in the formation mechanism of eyebrow ptosis and crow’s feet,leading to periorbital aging.However,previous studies were mainly based on cadaveric anatomy,and no literatures describing the structure and function of the depressor orbicularis lateralis were found in practical surgery.Purpose:to explore the size,course,starting and ending points of the depressor orbicularis lateralis in rhytidectomy,as well as functional characteristics and the necessity of surgical treatment.Methods:two patients who underwent temporal and cheek rhytidectomy were reported.The temporal skin flaps were fully dissected during the operation and the morphological characteristics of the depressor orbicularis lateralis were observed and recorded.Results:through the temporal buccal incision,when the skin flaps were fully dissected to the lateral orbital,a muscular strip can be found,which runs perpendicular to the medial and lateral canthus line with the upper end connected to the deep surface of flaps and the lower end extending medially and inferiorly.Conelusions:the depressor orbicularis lateralis observed through temporal and cheek rhytidectomy is basically consistent with the previous studies based on cadaveric anatomy.It has the lateral eyebrow descending function and needs surgical intervention.