Palpebral slant - eye

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Palpebral slant

The palpebral slant is the direction of the slant of a line drawn from the outer corner of the eye to the inner corner.

Mongolian slant

The palpebra are the upper and lower eyelids, which make up the shape of the eye. A line drawn from the inner corner to the outer corner determines the slant of the eye, or palpebral slant. Slanting and a fold of skin (epicanthal fold) are normal in people of Asian descent.

Abnormal slanting of the eye may occur with some genetic disorders and syndromes. The most common of these syndromes is Down syndrome. Persons with Down syndrome often also have an epicanthal fold in the inner corner of the eye.

Palpebral slant may not be part of any other defect. However, in some cases, it may be due to:

• Down syndrome
• Fetal alcohol syndrome
• Certain genetic disorders

Review Date: 05/01/2011
Reviewed By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).

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