OBJECTIVETo study the anatomic mechanism of tear trough deformity and palabromalar groove deformity.

METHODSSix cadavers (12 sides, 3 male, 3 female, an average age of 67.2 years) with tear trough deformity and palpbromalar groove deformity underwent lower eyelid and periorbital area dissection.

RESULTSTear trough deformity and palabromalar groove deformity locate at the junction of thin eyelid skin and thick cheek skin. Skin is closely attached to the orbicularis oculi muscle. The superior horder of the malar fat pad covers the junction of the palpebral and orbital portions of the orbicularis muscle, and does not descend with malar fat pad, which is also corresponded to the location of tear trough and palphromalar groove. The gap between the orbicularis oculi muscle and the levator labii superioris alaeque nasi muscle is not correspond to tear trough. The orbicularis retaining ligament arises from the orbital rim and ends at the junction of the palpebral and orbital portions of the orbicularis muscle, and the ligament connects with the deep part of the orbicularis muscle which directly attaches to the infraorbital rim. Suborbicular oculi fat pads locate at the inferolateral of the orbital region, thin and flabby. Orbital septal arises from the infraorbital rim, and the orbital fat extrudes anteriorly and inferiorly.

CONCLUSIONSTear trough deformity and palabromalar groove deformity are resulted from combination of age-related relaxation, atrophy and ptosis of layers of tissues. The orbital septal and the orbicularis retaining ligament prevent tissues from descending, which makes tear trough deformity and palabromalar groove deformity more visible.