Types of Encephalocele by Location
Orbit
The orbit is the bony eye socket that holds and protects the eyeball.
In short: Orbit
- Some anterior encephaloceles affect the orbit and eye position.
- Naso-orbital and spheno-orbital encephaloceles involve it.
- Ophthalmology is often part of care when the orbit is involved.
- The orbit's involvement can affect eye spacing and position.
What it is
It is the bony cavity that contains and protects the eye. Several encephalocele subtypes — including naso-orbital and spheno-orbital types — can involve the orbit.
Understanding Orbit
When an encephalocele involves the orbit, it can affect eye position and spacing, so surgeons and eye specialists plan repair with both function and appearance in mind. Anterior encephaloceles near the eyes can push the orbits apart (contributing to hypertelorism) or affect the eye directly. Because vision and eye position are important, ophthalmology is frequently part of the team when the orbit is involved.
Why it matters
Understanding that the orbit can be affected helps families see why an eye specialist may be involved and why repair considers eye position and spacing, not just closure of the protrusion.
Common questions
What is the orbit?
The bony eye socket.
Which encephaloceles involve it?
Naso-orbital and spheno-orbital types.
Who is involved when the orbit is affected?
Often ophthalmology, alongside the surgical team.
Bottom line
The orbit is the bony eye socket, involved in certain anterior and basal encephaloceles.
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