Tarsus and Palpebral Ligaments, Anterior View

Description

Centered on the anterior orbit and eyelids, the dense superior and inferior tarsal plates form crescentic supports within the upper and lower lids, closely applied to the palpebral conjunctiva and lying anterior to the globe and its extraocular muscles. Medially, the tarsi taper toward the medial canthus where the palpebral ligaments (medial and lateral palpebral ligaments) anchor the eyelids to the orbital rim, adjacent to the lacrimal sac fossa and the anterior lacrimal crest. Superiorly, the upper tarsus relates to the levator palpebrae superioris aponeurosis, while the lower tarsus relates to the capsulopalpebral fascia and the inferior tarsal muscle, creating a layered tendon and fascia continuum from orbit to lid margin. Bony landmarks of the frontal bone, maxilla, and zygomatic bone frame the palpebral apparatus. Anterior orientation matters because eyelid stability and apposition to the globe depend on these fibrous plates and canthal attachments, and small changes in their tension translate into exposure symptoms. This is the operative anatomy for ectropion and entropion repair, lateral tarsal strip canthopexy, and management of eyelid laxity after facial nerve palsy. It also clarifies why chalazion arises from obstructed meibomian glands embedded in the tarsus, and why incision and curettage is directed through the conjunctival surface to spare the anterior lamella. Use this artwork for ophthalmology and head and neck anatomy teaching when you need clean relationships between the orbital skeleton, extraocular muscle envelope, and tarsal plate ligament supports, without the distraction of full facial soft tissue. It also suits surgical atlases, patient education on eyelid malposition, and exam prep figures covering canthal tendons, retinacular fascial planes, and tarsal pathology. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.