Opthalmic division Of V

Superior division of the V nerve and Smallest

Leaves the cranium and enters the orbit via superior orbital fissure
Sensory branch
All 3 branches (Lacrimal, frontal and nasocilliary) pass through the
superior orbital fissure into the orbit.

Common Tendinous ring: The common tendinous ring is a fibrous ring which
surrounds the optic canal and part of the superior orbital fissure at the apex of
the orbit.

Origin and course

Arises from trigeminal ganglion Pierces the duramater of the

trigeminal cave and enters the lateral wall of the cavernous sinus
Divides into 3 branches: Lacrimal, Frontal and Nasociliary Enters
superior orbital fissure

Branches
1) Lacrimal Nerve

Smallest branch

Enters orbit via superior orbital fissure lateral to the tendinous ring
Runs along lateral wall of orbit and ends in the lacrimal gland.

Joined by a communication branch from the zygomaticotemporal

branch of the maxillary nerve carrying postganglionic parasympathetic
secretomotor fibers to the lacrimal gland.

Supplies the lacrimal gland and conjunctiva (thin membrane of the eye)
and upper eye lid.

2) Frontal Nerve

Largest branch

Enters orbit via superior orbital fissure lateral to the tendinous ring
Runs forward beneath roof to divide into two branches: Supraorbital
Nerve and Supratrochlear Nerve.

Supraorbital nerve: Continues along the line of the Frontal Nerve

passes through supraorbital notch to supply skin of scalp as far as the
lambdoid suture, pericranium and upper eyelid.

Supratrochlear nerve: Runs forward medial to supraorbital nerve in the

roof orbit turns upwards at the frontal notch (medial end of superior
orbital margin)
-Supplies the conjunctiva, upper eye lid, skin of lower part of forehead.

3) Nasociliary Nerve

Enters orbit within tendinous ring of superior orbital fissure. Has 5

branches:
1) Sensory branch to ciliary ganglion Contains sensory fibers from
the eyeball via the short ciliary nerves without interruption through
the ciliary ganglion.
2) Long ciliary Nerves distribute to the ciliary body, iris and cornea, it
is made up of sympathetic post-ganglionic fibers which innervate
the dilator papillae of the iris and sensory fibers from the cornea.

3) Posterior ethmoidal nerve Enters the posterior ethmoidal foramen

and supplies ethmoidal and sphenoidal air sinuses.
4) Anterior ethmoidal nerve Supplies anterior ethmoidal cells via
anterior ethmoidal foramen then enters the nasal cavity through a
slit on the side of the crista galli supplying adjacent nasal mucosa
and finally terminates as the external nasal branch supplying the
skin of nasal dorsum.

5) Infra-trochlear nerve Supplies the lacrimal sac, conjunctiva, eyelids,

and upper lateral aspect of nose.

Questions Opthalmic Nerve (V1)

Q1. What landmark does the ophthalmic nerve pass through to enter the
orbit?
Q2. What are the main branches of the ophthalmic nerve? What do these
branches pass through?
Q3. What is the common tendinous ring?
Q4. What is the origin and course of the Opthalmic division up to where it
enters the orbit? What happens once this nerve reaches the orbit?
Q5. What is the course of the Lacrimal nerve and state what it supplies.
Q6. What is the course of the Frontal nerve and state what it supplies.
Q7. What is the course of the Nasociliary Nerve and state what it supplies.