Common tendinous ring

Annulus of Zinn
Annulus of Zinn
	Rectus muscles: ; 2 = superior, 3 = inferior, 4 = medial, 5 = lateral; Oblique muscles: 6 = superior, 8 = inferior; Other muscle: 9 = levator palpebrae superioris; Other structures: 1 = Annulus of Zinn, 7 = Trochlea, 10 = Superior tarsus, 11 = Sclera, 12 = Optic nerve
	Anterior view
Details
Identifiers
Latin	Anulus tendineus communis
TA98	A15.2.07.015
TA2	2047
FMA	49071
	Anatomical terminology [edit on Wikidata]

The annulus of Zinn, also known as the annular tendon or common tendinous ring, is a ring of fibrous tissue surrounding the optic nerve at its entrance at the apex of the orbit. It is the common origin of the four rectus muscles (extraocular muscles).

It can be used to divide the regions of the superior orbital fissure.^[1]

The arteries surrounding the optic nerve are sometimes called the "circle of Zinn-Haller" ("CZH").^[2] This vascular structure is also sometimes called "circle of Zinn".

The following structures pass through the tendinous ring (superior to inferior):

Superior division of the oculomotor nerve (CNIII)
Nasociliary nerve (branch of ophthalmic nerve)
Inferior division of the oculomotor nerve (CNIII)
Abducens nerve (CNVI)
Optic nerve

Parts

Some sources distinguish between these terms more precisely, with the anulus tendineus communis being the parent structure, divided into two parts:^[3]

a lower, the ligament or tendon of Zinn, which gives origin to the rectus inferior, part of the rectus internus, and the lower head of origin of the rectus lateralis.
an upper, which gives origin to the rectus superior, the rest of the rectus medialis, and the upper head of the rectus lateralis. This upper band is sometimes termed the superior tendon of Lockwood.

Eponym

It is named for Johann Gottfried Zinn.^[4]^[5] It should not be confused with the zonule of Zinn, though it is named after the same person.

References

^ Shi X, Han H, Zhao J, Zhou C (2007). "Microsurgical anatomy of the superior orbital fissure". Clin Anat. 20 (4): 362–6. doi:10.1002/ca.20391. PMID 17080461.
^ Ko MK, Kim DS, Ahn YK (1999). "Morphological variations of the peripapillary circle of Zinn-Haller by flat section". Br J Ophthalmol. 83 (7): 862–6. doi:10.1136/bjo.83.7.862. PMC 1723100. PMID 10381675.
^ "eMedicine - Orbit Anatomy : Article by Guy J Petruzzelli". Archived from the original on 24 March 2008. Retrieved 2008-03-17.
^ synd/3938 at Who Named It?
^ J. G. Zinn. Descriptio anatomica oculi humani. Göttingen, B. Abrami Vandenhoeck, 1755.

[pmid17080461-1] Shi X, Han H, Zhao J, Zhou C (2007). "Microsurgical anatomy of the superior orbital fissure". Clin Anat. 20 (4): 362–6. doi:10.1002/ca.20391. PMID 17080461.

[pmid10381675-2] Ko MK, Kim DS, Ahn YK (1999). "Morphological variations of the peripapillary circle of Zinn-Haller by flat section". Br J Ophthalmol. 83 (7): 862–6. doi:10.1136/bjo.83.7.862. PMC 1723100. PMID 10381675.

[titleeMedicine_-_Orbit_Anatomy_:_Article_by_Guy_J_Petruzzelli-3] "eMedicine - Orbit Anatomy : Article by Guy J Petruzzelli". Archived from the original on 24 March 2008. Retrieved 2008-03-17.

[4] synd/3938 at Who Named It?

[5] J. G. Zinn. Descriptio anatomica oculi humani. Göttingen, B. Abrami Vandenhoeck, 1755.

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