The Orbital Vessels

• The orbital contents are supplied chiefly by the ophthalmic artery.
• The infraorbital artery, the continuation of the maxillary, also contributes blood to this region.
• Venous drainage is through the superior orbital fissure to enter the cavernous sinus.

The Ophthalmic Artery

• This artery arises from the internal carotid artery as it emerges from the cavernous sinus.
• It passes through the optic foramen within the dural sheath of the optic nerve and runs anteriorly, close to the superomedial wall of the orbit.

The Central Artery of the Retina

• This is the one of the smallest but most important branches of the ophthalmic artery.
• It arises inferior to the optic nerve until it approaches the eyeball.
• It then pierces the optic nerve and runs within it to emerge through the optic disc.
• The central artery of the retina spreads over the internal surface of the retina and supplies it.

The Ophthalmic Veins

The Superior Ophthalmic Vein

• The superior ophthalmic vein anastomoses with the facial vein.
• It has no valves and blood can flow in either direction.
• It crosses superior to the optic nerve, passes through the superior orbital fissure and ends in the cavernous sinus.

The Inferior Ophthalmic Vein

• This begins as a plexus on the floor of the orbit.
• It communicates with the inferior orbital fissure with the pterygoid plexus, crosses inferior to the optic nerve, and ends in either the superior ophthalmic vein or the cavernous sinus.

The Nose

• The nose is the superior part of the respiratory tract and contains the peripheral organ of smell.
• It is divided into right and left nasal cavities by the nasal septum.
• The nasal cavity is divided into the olfactory area and the respiratory area.

The Nasopharynx

• The nasal part of the pharynx has a respiratory function.
• It lies superior to the soft palate and is a posterior extension of the nasal cavity.
• The nose opens into the nasopharynx via to large posterior apertures called choanae.

• The roof and posterior wall of the nasopharynx form a continuous surface that lies inferior to the body of the sphenoid bone and the basilar part of the occipital bone.
• In the mucous membrane of the roof of the posterior wall of the nasopharynx is a collection of lymphoid tissue, known as the pharyngeal tonsil (commonly known as the adenoids).

• The pharyngeal orifice of the auditory tube is on the lateral wall of the nasopharynx, 1 to 1.5 cm posterior to the inferior concha, and level with the superior border of the palate.
• The orifice is directed inferiorly and has a hood-like tubal elevation over it called the torus of the auditory tube or the torus tubarius (L. torus, swelling).

• Extending inferiorly from the torus is a vertical fold of mucous membrane, known as the salpingopharyngeal fold.

• The collection of lymphoid tissue in the submucosa of the pharynx, posterior to the orifice of the auditory tube, is known as the tubal tonsil.

• Posterior to the torus and the salpingopharyngeal fold, there is a slit-like lateral projection of the pharynx called the pharyngeal recess.
• It extends laterally and posteriorly.

• This is the posterior curtain-like part, and has no bony support. It does, however, contain a membranous aponeurosis.
• The soft palate, or velum palatinum (L. velum, veil), is a movable, fibromuscular fold that is attached to the posterior edge of the hard palate.
• It extends posteroinferiorly to a curved free margin from which hangs a conical process, the uvula (L. uva, grape).

• The soft palate separates the nasopharynx superiorly and the oropharynx inferiorly.

• During swallowing the soft palate moves posteriorly against the wall of the pharynx, preventing the regurgitation of food into the nasal cavity.

• Laterally, the soft palate is continuous with the wall of the pharynx and is joined to the tongue and pharynx by the palatoglossal and palatopharyngeal folds.

• The soft palate is strengthened by the palatine aponeurosis, formed by the expanded tendon of the tensor veli palatini muscle.
• This aponeurosis attaches to the posterior margin of the hard palate.

Intrinsic Muscles of the Tongue

The Superior Longitudinal Muscle of the Tongue

• The muscle forms a thin layer deep to the mucous membrane on the dorsum of the tongue, running from its tip to its root.
• It arises from the submucosal fibrous layer and the lingual septum and inserts mainly into the mucous membrane.

• This muscle curls the tip and sides of the tongue superiorly, making the dorsum of the tongue concave.

The Inferior Longitudinal Muscle of the Tongue

• This muscle consists of a narrow band close to the inferior surface of the tongue.
• It extends from the tip to the root of the tongue.
• Some of its fibres attach to the hyoid bone.

• This muscle curls the tip of the tongue inferiorly, making the dorsum of the tongue convex.

The Transverse Muscle of the Tongue

• This muscle lies deep to the superior longitudinal muscle.
• It arises from the fibrous lingual septum and runs lateral to its right and left margins.
• Its fibres are inserted into the submucosal fibrous tissue.

• The transverse muscle narrows and increases the height of the tongue.

The Vertical Muscle of the Tongue

• This muscle runs inferolaterally from the dorsum of the tongue.
• It flattens and broadens the tongue.
• Acting with the transverse muscle, it increases the length of the tongue.