Corpus: Tarsal muscle
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Synonym: Müller muscle
English: , inferior tarsal muscle, superior tarsal muscle
Definition[Bearbeiten]
The term tarsalis muscle refers to a layer of smooth muscle that is embedded in the eyelids.
Classification[Bearbeiten]
A distinction is made between:
- Musculus tarsalis superior: Smooth muscles of the upper eyelid
- Musculus tarsalis inferior: Smooth muscles of the lower eyelid
Innervation[Bearbeiten]
Innervation is provided by fibres of the sympathetic nervous system, which run with the internal carotid plexus and originate from the superior cervical ganglion. The tarsalis muscle is the only external eye muscle to be sympathetically innervated.
Function[Bearbeiten]
The tarsalis muscle pulls the upper and lower eyelids together vertically, causing the palpebral fissure to widen.
See also: Ptosis, Horner's syndrome