Depressor orbicularis lateralis: concept, anatomy and clinical relevance / 中华整形外科杂志

The concept of depressor orbicularis lateralis arises through anatomy of brow ptosis and innovations of its correction. This vertical muscle band is usually found running inferiorly from the lateral brow down along the lateral orbital rim, adjacent to the orbicularis oculi. The muscle segment is a powerful depressor of the brow and may lead to recurrent lateral eyebrow ptosis, if it is not addressed at the time of the facelift. In this review, the anatomical evidence, basic functions of depressor orbicularis lateralis, as well as its clinical relevance and the proper measures in handling this structure as part of brow ptosis and crow′s feet surgery will be discussed.