Canthus

For other uses, see Canthus (disambiguation).

Canthus
Front of left eye with eyelids separated to show medial canthus.

Canthus (pl. canthi, palpebral commissures) is either corner of the eye where the upper and lower eyelids meet.^[1] More specifically, the medial and lateral canthi would be described as the medial and lateral ends/angles of the palpebral fissure.

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 associated with Waardenburg syndrome.^[2]

See also

• Epicanthic fold

References

1. ^ "canthus" at Dorland's Medical Dictionary
2. ^ Tagra S, Talwar AK, Walia RL, Sidhu P (2006). "Waardenburg syndrome". Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol 72 (4): 326. PMID 16880590. 

External links

• Diagram at sheinman.com
• Diagram at solobambini.com (measure of Pupillary distance)