Anatomical Morphometry and the Precise Position of the Medial Canthal Tendon in a Thiel Cadaveric Study of a Scottish Population

Understanding the anatomy of the medial canthal tendon (MCT) is essential for accurate facial reconstruction and orbital surgery. This study analyzed the morphometry and anatomical position of the MCT in 109 orbits from 55 Thiel-embalmed Scottish cadavers (27 males, 28 females; mean age at time of death 84.79 years). Measurements included bone-to-tendon, soft tissue, and bone-to-bone distances, with transverse lines established using a ruler at the superior and inferior orbital margins. Vertical distances from these lines to the MCT were recorded, alongside MCT length, width, and orbital height and width. A previously undocumented decussation pattern was observed in 7% of cadavers, in which the superior and inferior bands of the MCT crossed over the frontal process of the maxilla. The remaining specimens exhibited a single-band configuration. Statistically significant sex-based differences were found in four of seven parameters: the distance between the inferior orbital margin and MCT (p < 0.001), orbital height (p < 0.01), orbital width (p < 0.01), and frontonasal suture to MCT distance (p < 0.02). MCT length and width showed no sex differences. These findings establish the dacryon as a reliable landmark for MCT positioning and highlight the importance of population-specific anatomical data in surgical and forensic applications. This study offers novel insights into MCT morphology within a Scottish population, reinforcing the relevance of precise morphometric data for clinical accuracy.