Introduction:

Knowing eye morphology is crucial for the training of medical students; however, learning about the anatomy of the eye is limited to virtual models and illustrations that do not accurately portray the orbital cavity and its contents. In this sense, the use of dissection techniques has shown to improve the learning of the morphology of any anatomical structure.

Objective:

To modify the Caldwell-Luc procedure using a simultaneous superior approach that allows access to all the extrinsic structures of the eye contained in the orbital cavity, and thus facilitate its study in situ.

Materials and methods:

Based on a thorough literature review, dissection practices were performed first with pig eyes to gain the necessary experience, and then the dissection was carried out by planes on a human corpse: the maxillary bone was cut and a horizontal cut was made at the base of the skull.

Results:

By dissecting all the extrinsic muscles of the eye it was possible to visualize the nerves (cranial pairs), their branches and vascular structures from an upper and lower perspective of the orbit.

Conclusion:

The successful application of the modified Caldwell-Luc procedure described in this study is a better tool for teaching and learning about the anatomy of the eye, as it allows observing as many of the surrounding structures of the eye in situ as possible, and provides an opportunity to improve students' anatomical dissection skills.

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