How many bones are there in the human eye socket (orbit)?

The human eye socket, also called the orbit, is a bony cavity in the skull that protects the eyeball, optic nerve, blood vessels, and associated muscles. It provides structural support while safeguarding the delicate eye from injury.

The orbit is composed of seven bones, which together form its walls and provide a stable framework. These bones are:

1. 
   

   Frontal bone – forms the upper wall of the orbit.

   
   


2. 
   

   Sphenoid bone – contributes to the posterior wall.

   
   


3. 
   

   Zygomatic bone – forms the lateral wall and part of the lower boundary.

   
   


4. 
   

   Maxilla – forms most of the floor of the orbit.

   
   


5. 
   

   Palatine bone – a small part of the floor near the back.

   
   


6. 
   

   Lacrimal bone – a small bone in the medial wall that supports the tear ducts.

   
   


7. 
   

   Ethmoid bone – forms part of the medial wall between the lacrimal and sphenoid bones.

   
   

These seven bones together create a protective cavity that shields the eye from physical damage while providing attachment points for extraocular muscles, which control eye movements.

Understanding the anatomy of the orbit is important in biology, medicine, and anatomy, because it explains eye protection, muscle attachment, and susceptibility to trauma. The combination of these seven bones ensures that the eye remains stable yet flexible, allowing for precise movements while being safely encased.

In summary, the human eye socket (orbit) is formed by seven bones, making option D: Seven the correct answer. These bones play a key role in protecting the eye, supporting vision, and facilitating eye movement, which is fundamental knowledge in human anatomy.