ROOF: retro-orbicularis oculi fat and the eyebrow
- Highlighted area
Quick facts
- Acronym
- Retro-orbicularis oculi fat: fat behind the orbicularis oculi muscle.
- Location
- Under the eyebrow and the upper part of the upper eyelid, fuller in the lateral third.
- Layer
- Between the orbicularis oculi muscle, in front, and the periosteum and orbital septum, behind.
- Counterpart
- It is the upper counterpart of the SOOF, which sits below the lower rim of the orbit.
- Relevance in facial harmonization
- Gives body to the brow; losing it contributes to lateral drooping and heaviness on the eyelid.
The ROOF (retro-orbicularis oculi fat) is the layer of fat behind the orbicularis oculi muscle, in the brow area and the upper part of the upper eyelid. It sits in front of the periosteum and the orbital septum, over the upper rim of the orbit, and is fuller in the lateral third of the brow. In facial harmonization it matters because it gives body to the eyebrow and because losing it with age contributes to drooping of the lateral brow.
Where is the ROOF located?
| Reference | Relationship to the ROOF |
|---|---|
| Skin and orbicularis muscle | In front of the fat |
| Periosteum of the orbital rim | Behind, at the level of the brow |
| Orbital septum | Behind, in the part that descends toward the eyelid |
| Orbital fat pads | Behind the septum, in a separate compartment |
| SOOF | Equivalent fat below the lower rim of the orbit |
The ROOF is usually described as thicker in the lateral half of the brow. Medially, the brow has more support from bone and from the glabellar muscles. Thickness varies between people and changes with age and weight.
Why does the ROOF matter in facial harmonization?
- Lateral brow drooping: loss of ROOF volume and of temple fat removes support from the tail of the brow, which tends to descend and weigh on the eyelid.
- Heavy upper eyelid: the descent of the brow pushes skin onto the eyelid. Telling this apart from excess skin of the eyelid itself changes the indication.
- Hollow eyelid: in some people, fat loss leaves the upper eyelid crease more deeply etched, giving a tired look.
- Toxin and the brow: the final position of the brow depends on the balance between the frontalis muscle, which lifts, and the orbicularis, which lowers the tail. The topic is covered in botulinum toxin for the eyebrow.
How does it show up in the assessment?
- Brow position at rest: height of the head, arch and tail, comparing both sides.
- Lateral volume: the tail of the brow looks flattened or drooping over the eyelid.
- Manual lift: raising the brow with a finger shows how much of the heavy eyelid comes from brow descent.
- Excess skin: what remains after lifting the brow suggests dermatochalasis, which is a surgical assessment.
- Hollow eyelid: see tired look: assessment.
Also called: retro-orbicular fat, retro-orbicularis oculi fat, brow fat pad.
Frequently asked questions
What is ROOF fat?
It is a layer of fat behind the orbicularis oculi muscle, in the brow area and the upper part of the upper eyelid. It supports and adds volume to the brow, mainly in its lateral part.
Is the ROOF the same as the eyelid fat pad?
No. The ROOF sits in front of the orbital septum, outside the orbit. The fat pads of the upper eyelid sit behind the septum, inside the orbit. Both can show up together in an excess of eyelid volume, but the treatment is different.