Orbit

The orbit is a bony cavity that houses the eye and the accessory organs of the eye. It is shaped like an irregular cone, with the long axis directed rostrolaterally and slightly dorsally.

In most animals and humans, the orbit is closed, and entirely formed by bones of the cranium and bones of the face, namely the frontal, temporal, basisphenoid, presphenoid, palatine, lacrimal, zygomatic bones and maxilla. In carnivores, especially dogs, the zygomatic process of the frontal bone does not join the frontal process of the zygomatic bone: this space is completed by the orbital ligament, and the lateral and ventral walls of the orbit are missing on the skeleton. In some bird species, the ventral bony part of the orbit is replaced by a ligamentous structure.