Morphometric Properties of the Whitnall's Tubercle and Its Relationship With Neighboring Bony Structures

Mediterranean International Conference on Research in Applied Sciences, Antalya, Türkiye, 22 - 24 Nisan 2022, ss.598-599

ABSTRACT

Objective: Whitnall’s tubercle is used as an Anatomical landmark in surgical approaches to

orbit and periorbital structures. Therefore, in order to increase the success of invasive

procedures and minimize surgical complications, it was aimed to determine localization of

Whitnall’s tubercle by using some palpable bony landmarks and to reveal its morphological

and morphometric features.

Materials and method: Ethics committee approval was obtained from the Istanbul Medical

Faculty Clinical Research Ethics Committee. 322 zygomatic bones (167 right, 155 left) of

Department of Anatomy of Istanbul Faculty of Medicine belonging to adults of unknown

gender, were examined to reveal Whitnall’s tubercle and morphological features of the

tubercle were identified. An acetate prepared by drawing a clock with a dial and an apparatus

on which this acetate was located was used in order to determine localization of Whitnall's

tubercle. By means of this acetate, positions of this tubercle relative to marginal tubercle and

anterior point of the zygomatic arch were determined. Distances between Whitnall’s tubercle

and frontozygomatic suture and lateral margin of orbital rim were measured with a digital

calipers.

Results: Whitnall's tubercle was determined in 284 zygomatic bones, and this tubercle was

absent in 38 bones. Of determined tubercles, 181 were classified as small, 10 as medium, and

93 as large. Position of Whitnall's tubercle according to marginal tubercle was at 8, 9, and 10

o'clock on the left, and at 2, 3, and 4 o'clock on the right. Position of the Whitnall's tubercle

according to anterior point of zygomatic arch was at 9,10 and 11 o'clock on the left, and at 1

and 2 o'clock on the right. Distances between Whitnall’s tubercle and lateral margin of orbital

rim and frontozygomatic suture were measured as 1.94±0.31mm and 8.17±5.82mm,

respectively.

Conclusion: We think that findings obtained regarding Whitnall’s tubercle will contribute to

anatomy of the related region and surgical procedures applied to this area.

Keywords: lateral canthus; marginal tubercle; zygomatic bone; Whitnall’s tubercle;

zygomatic arch