Orbicularis retaining ligament: anatomy and dark circles
- Nerve
Quick facts
- Location
- Around the orbit; in the lower eyelid, it attaches to bone just below the lower rim of the orbit.
- Structure
- Fibrous band that starts at the periosteum, crosses the orbicularis oculi muscle, and reaches the skin.
- Continuity
- Medially, it continues with the tear trough ligament; laterally, with the lateral orbital thickening.
- Relevance in orofacial harmonization (HOF)
- Marks the palpebromalar groove and separates the lower eyelid from the cheek; the basis for understanding tear troughs and eye bags.
- In Harmy
- The area corresponds to the Tear Trough point of the marking.
The orbicularis retaining ligament is a band of fibrous tissue that circles the orbit and anchors the orbicularis oculi muscle and the skin to bone. In the lower eyelid, it attaches just below the lower rim of the orbit and marks the transition between the eyelid and the cheek. It is one of the most important retaining ligaments for understanding tear troughs, eye bags, and the palpebromalar groove.
Where is it and how is it formed?
The ligament arises from the periosteum, usually a little below and outside the bony rim of the orbit, crosses the orbicularis oculi muscle at the transition between the palpebral and orbital parts, and reaches the skin. It runs all the way around the orbit, but it is best studied in the lower eyelid.
| Segment | Continuity | Groove it marks on the skin |
|---|---|---|
| Medial | Tear trough ligament | Tear trough |
| Central and lower lateral | Orbicularis retaining ligament proper | Palpebromalar groove |
| Lateral | Lateral orbital thickening | Transition to the temple |
The ligament works as a divider. Above it lies the preseptal space, under the palpebral portion of the orbicularis. Below it lies the prezygomatic space, which rests on the suborbicularis oculi fat (SOOF), one of the deep fat pads of the midface. This division helps explain why swelling and bags tend to build up on one side of the ligament and do not easily cross to the other.
Why does it matter in orofacial harmonization (HOF)?
With aging, the ligament tends to loosen and lengthen, the fat of the lower eyelid bulges forward, and the midface loses volume and support. The attachment point stays relatively anchored and becomes a visible step: the eyelid looks longer, and the tear trough becomes pronounced.
This changes how the plan is reasoned:
- Not every tear trough is a lack of volume in the groove; sometimes the main problem is the bag above the ligament.
- Restoring support in the cheekbone can soften the transition without treating the groove directly.
- Marked ligament laxity, large bags, or excess skin often have a surgical indication, and referral is part of a good assessment.
How does it show up in the assessment?
- Looking up: the eyelid fat becomes more evident above the ligament.
- Light from above: shows the step between the eyelid and the cheek.
- Morning swelling and malar bags: fluid retention below the ligament calls for caution before any filler.
- Gentle skin traction test: helps separate a groove caused by attachment from excess skin.
For the full picture of the area, see the tear trough area and tear trough filler.
Also called: orbitomalar ligament, retaining ligament of the orbit, ORL (orbicularis retaining ligament).
Frequently asked questions
Are the orbicularis retaining ligament and the orbitomalar ligament the same thing?
Yes. They are different names for the same structure, used by different authors. It also appears as the retaining ligament of the orbit and by the abbreviation ORL, for orbicularis retaining ligament.
What does the orbicularis retaining ligament have to do with tear troughs?
It anchors the skin to bone at the transition between the eyelid and the cheek. When the surrounding tissues lose volume or the eyelid fat bulges forward, the fixed point becomes a groove, which shows up as a tear trough.