CT evaluation of the extraocular muscles is unsatisfactory in the commonly used axial and coronal planes. Based on the analysis of anatomic and computed tomographic sections and reformations in various planes, optimal examination techniques for the evaluation of the extraocular muscles are discussed. Their anatomic relationship to other clinically and surgically important orbital structures is shown. As a rule, visualization of an eye muscle is optimal if the plane of section or reformation is parallel to its course. Judgments regarding muscle size should be based only on true cross-sections obtained from reformations 90 degrees to the course of the individual muscle.