Search

Objectives: To define the anatomy of the infra orbital area and assess the possible connections with the facial morphotypes identifying the tears trough. To deduce therapeutic proposition concerning the management of this area in aesthetic medicine or surgery., Methods: Anatomic dissections of 10 fresh specimens not frozen and not formalin. Dissection layer by layer from skin to bones paying special attention to the infra orbital superficial muscles and the distribution of subcutaneous fat., Results: In this study, it was precised the existence of zygomaticus superficialis and levator genae muscles whose variations in the connections with the orbicularis oculi muscle is probably the origin of the diversity of human facial expression. On the other hand, the tear trough seems to depend on different distributions of the anatomical complex formed by these muscles with the subcutaneous fat and skin that covers it. An anatomical classification into three muscle types has been proposed., Conclusion: The main variations between individual facial expression are related to a different muscular anatomy from one subject to another. The myological classical anatomic description, too stereotyped, can not explain those differences. The classification proposed by the authors can differentiate the facial morphotypes in the infra orbital area and offer therapeutic solutions.