Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Optic Canal, Optic Strut, and Optic Nerve

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Cranio-Orbital Mass Lesions

  • 193 Accesses

Abstract

Several pathologies of the anterior skull base may involve the optic canal, the optic strut, and the optic nerve, requiring surgeon to understand such complex anatomical spaces and their proximity to the critical neurovascular structures, including the internal carotid artery and the cavernous sinus. The identification of definite anatomical landmarks, coupled with the knowledge of the most common anatomical variants, is essential for guiding the surgery, allowing surgeons to mentally visualize these relationships as one plan which approach will be applied. This is particularly true in the current surgical era, which is characterized by the continuous development of open and endoscopic approaches to select different regions of the optic canal. This chapter delineates the surgical anatomy of the optic canal, optic strut, and optic nerve, with the purpose to assist the surgical planning of optimal approaches tailored to each different lesion involving these regions.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 119.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 159.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Demartini Z, Zanine SC. Microanatomic study of the optic canal. World Neurosurg. 2021;155:e792–6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wneu.2021.08.144.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Caporlingua A, Prior A, Cavagnaro MJ, et al. The intracranial and intracanalicular optic nerve as seen through different surgical windows: endoscopic versus transcranial. World Neurosurg. 2019;124:522–38. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wneu.2019.01.122.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Lang J. Surgery of the cranial base tumors. In: Clinical anatomy of the head: neurocranium, orbit, craniocervical regions. Berlin: Springer-Verlag; 1983. p. 99–121.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  4. Fawcett. Notes on the development of the human sphenoid. J Anat Physiol. 1910;44(Pt 3):207–22.

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  5. Kier EL. Embryology of the normal optic canal and its anomalies an anatomic and roentgenographic study. Investig Radiol. 1966;1(5):346–62. https://doi.org/10.1097/00004424-196609000-00023.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Duke-Elder S, Wybar KC. The anatomy of the visual system. In: System of ophthalmology, volume 2. London: H. Kimpton; 1958.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Lee AG, Morgan ML, Palau AEB, et al. Anatomy of the optic nerve and visual pathway. In: Nerves and nerve injuries. Amsterdam: Elsevier; 2015. p. 277–303. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-410390-0.00020-2.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  8. Engin Ö, Adriaensen GFJPM, Hoefnagels FWA, Saeed P. A systematic review of the surgical anatomy of the orbital apex. Surg Radiol Anat. 2021;43(2):169–78. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-020-02573-w.

  9. Slavin KV, Dujovny M, Soeira G, Ausman JI. Optic canal: microanatomic study. Skull Base. 1994;4(3):136–44. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2008-1058965.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Bouthillier A, van Loveren HR, Keller JT. Segments of the internal carotid artery: a new classification. Neurosurgery. 1996;38(3):425–33. https://doi.org/10.1097/00006123-199603000-00001.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Hassler W, Zentner J, Voigt K. Abnormal origin of the ophthalmic artery from the anterior cerebral artery: neuroradiological and intraoperative findings. Neuroradiology. 1989;31(1):85–7. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00342037.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Hayreh SS, Dass R. The ophthalmic artery: I. Origin and intra-cranial and intra-canalicular course. Br J Ophthalmol. 1962;46(2):65–98. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjo.46.2.65.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  13. Regoli M, Bertelli E. The revised anatomy of the canals connecting the orbit with the cranial cavity. Orbit. 2017;36(2):110–7. https://doi.org/10.1080/01676830.2017.1279662.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Hokama M, Hongo K, Gibo H, Kyoshima K, Kobayashi S. Microsurgical anatomy of the ophthalmic artery and the distal dural ring for the juxta–dural ring aneurysms via the pterional approach. Neurol Res. 2001;23(4):331–5. https://doi.org/10.1179/016164101101198703.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Selhorst J, Chen Y. The optic nerve. Semin Neurol. 2009;29(1):29–35. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0028-1124020.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Meyer F. Zur Anatomie der Orbitalarterien. Morphol Jahr. 1887;12:414–58.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Curragh DS, Valentine R, Selva D. Optic strut terminology. Ophthalmic Plast Reconstr Surg. 2019;35(4):407–8. https://doi.org/10.1097/IOP.0000000000001394.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Seoane E, Rhoton AL, de Oliveira E. Microsurgical anatomy of the dural collar (carotid collar) and rings around the clinoid segment of the internal carotid artery. Neurosurgery. 1998;42(4):869–84. https://doi.org/10.1097/00006123-199804000-00108.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Beretta F, Sepahi AN, Zuccarello M, Tomsick TA, Keller JT. Radiographic imaging of the distal dural ring for determining the intradural or extradural location of aneurysms. Skull Base. 2005;15(4):253–62. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2005-918886.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  20. Kerr R, Tobler W, Leach J, et al. Anatomic variation of the optic strut: classification schema, radiologic evaluation, and surgical relevance. J Neurol Surg B Skull Base. 2012;73(6):424–9. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0032-1329626.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  21. Le Double A. Traite Des Variations Des Os Du Crane de l’Homme, vol. 1. Paris: Vigot Freres; 1903.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Gogela SL, Zimmer LA, Keller JT, Andaluz N. Refining operative strategies for optic nerve decompression: a morphometric analysis of transcranial and endoscopic endonasal techniques using clinical parameters. Oper Neurosurg. 2018;14(3):295–302. https://doi.org/10.1093/ons/opx093.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Maurer J, Hinni M, Mann W, Pfeiffer N. Optic nerve decompression in trauma and tumor patients. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 1999;256(7):341–5. https://doi.org/10.1007/s004050050160.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Krönlein R. Pathologie and operativen Behandlung der Dermoidcysten der Orbita. Beitr z Klin Chir Tubing. 1889;4:149–63.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Dandy WE. Prechiasmal intracranial tumors of the optic nerves. Am J Ophthalmol. 1922;5(3):169–88. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0002-9394(22)90261-2.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Hassler W, Eggert HR. Extradural and intradural microsurgical approaches to lesions of the optic canal and the superior orbital fissure. Acta Neurochir. 1985;74(3–4):87–93. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01418794.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Andaluz N, Beretta F, Bernucci C, Keller JT, Zuccarello M. Evidence for the improved exposure of the ophthalmic segment of the internal carotid artery after anterior clinoidectomy: morphometric analysis. Acta Neurochir. 2006;148(9):971–6. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00701-006-0862-x.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Spektor S, Dotan S, Mizrahi CJ. Safety of drilling for clinoidectomy and optic canal unroofing in anterior skull base surgery. Acta Neurochir. 2013;155(6):1017–24. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00701-013-1704-2.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Mikami T, Minamida Y, Koyanagi I, Baba T, Houkin K. Anatomical variations in pneumatization of the anterior clinoid process. J Neurosurg. 2007;106(1):170–4. https://doi.org/10.3171/jns.2007.106.1.170.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Kim JM, Romano A, Sanan A, van Loveren HR, Keller JT. Microsurgical anatomic features and nomenclature of the paraclinoid region. Neurosurgery. 2000;46(3):670–82. https://doi.org/10.1097/00006123-200003000-00029.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Andrade-Barazarte H, Kivelev J, Goehre F, et al. Contralateral approach to internal carotid artery ophthalmic segment aneurysms. Neurosurgery. 2015;77(1):104–12. https://doi.org/10.1227/NEU.0000000000000742.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Abhinav K, Acosta Y, Wang WH, et al. Endoscopic endonasal approach to the optic canal. Oper Neurosurg. 2015;11(3):431–46. https://doi.org/10.1227/NEU.0000000000000900.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Di Somma A, Cavallo LM, de Notaris M, et al. Endoscopic endonasal medial-to-lateral and transorbital lateral-to-medial optic nerve decompression: an anatomical study with surgical implications. J Neurosurg. 2017;127(1):199–208. https://doi.org/10.3171/2016.8.JNS16566.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurosurgery, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA

    Paolo Palmisciano, Norberto Andaluz, Jeffrey T. Keller & Mario Zuccarello

  2. University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA

    Yara AlFawares

Authors
  1. Paolo Palmisciano
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Yara AlFawares
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Norberto Andaluz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Jeffrey T. Keller
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Mario Zuccarello
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mario Zuccarello .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. of Neuroscience, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy

    Giulio Bonavolontà

  2. Dept. of Neuroscience, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy

    Francesco Maiuri

  3. Dept. of Neuroscience, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy

    Giuseppe Mariniello

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2023 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Palmisciano, P., AlFawares, Y., Andaluz, N., Keller, J.T., Zuccarello, M. (2023). Optic Canal, Optic Strut, and Optic Nerve. In: Bonavolontà, G., Maiuri, F., Mariniello, G. (eds) Cranio-Orbital Mass Lesions. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-35771-8_2

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-35771-8_2

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-031-35770-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-031-35771-8

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation