Superior orbital fissure

The superior orbital fissure is an elongate opening between the lesser and greater wings of the sphenoid bone.  Many structures pass through the superior orbital fissure:

• oculomotor n. (CN III)

• trochlear n. (CN IV)

• ophthalmic n. (CN V1)

• abducent n. (CN VI)

• ophthalmic v.

• sympathetics from the superior cervical ganglion that ride along with the internal carotid a.

Views of the superior orbital fissure from inside the skull, and from an anterior view of the orbit