Morphological analysis of Whitnall's tubercle: an anatomical landmark in orbital surgery

The orbital tubercle, also known as Whitnall's tubercle, was first described by S.E. Whitnall in 1911 and is a significant anatomical landmark on the zygomatic bone that serves various structural and clinical functions. Understanding its anatomy is essential for protecting adjacent soft tissues during surgical procedures and its role in forensic studies. This study aims to assess the prevalence, precise location, and morphological characteristics of Whitnall's tubercle in adult human skulls. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted on 108 orbital fossae of 54 well-preserved adult human skulls. Whitnall's tubercle was classified as apparent if visible or non-apparent if detectable only by palpation. Its dimensions and distances from nearby anatomical landmarks were measured. Statistical analyses were performed to compare measurements between sides. Whitnall's tubercle was present in 106 (98.1%) out of 108 examined orbital fossae, with 67 classified as apparent and 39 as non-apparent. The mean longitudinal length was 6.59±0.99 mm on the right and 6.86±1.30 mm on the left (P=0.025), while the transverse lengths showed no significant difference (P=0.63). The majority of Whitnall's tubercle presented an oval shape (92.5%), with no significant difference between sides (P=0.63). The distances between Whitnall's tubercle and selected anatomical landmarks showed minor variations, but none reached statistical significance. This study provides valuable insights into the anatomical characteristics of Whitnall's tubercle, emphasizing its clinical relevance in orbital surgery and forensic applications. Understanding these features can enhance surgical precision and improve patient outcomes.