Ophthalmic nerve (V1)

Ophthalmic nerve (V1)

1. Smallest branch of trigeminal nerve, stems from sensory root, only carries afferent fibers

2. Branches off trigeminal ganglion

3. Exits skull at superior orbital fissure then branches into..

   • Frontal nerve
     • Afferent branch of V1 that runs from the superior orbital fissure along the roof of the orbit until it branches into..
       • Supraorbital nerve
         • Sensory innervation of the forehead and anterior scalp (V1 --> frontal nerve --> supraorbital nerve)
       • Supratrochlear nerve
         • Sensory innervation of the bridge of the nose and medial parts of the upper eyelid and forehead (V1 --> frontal nerve --> supratrochlear nerve)
   • Lacrimal nerve
     • Afferent branch of V1 that runs from the superior orbital fissure along the lateral roof of the orbit. Sensory innervation for the lateral part of the upper eyelid, conjunctiva, and lacrimal gland. (V1--> lacrimal nerve)
     • Also carries parasympathetic postganglionic fibers from the greater patrosal nerve of CN VII to the lacrimal gland for tear production
   • Nasociliary nerve
     • Afferent branch of V1 that runs from the superior orbital fissure through the orbit, and is superior to the optic nerve (CN II). Branches into..
       • Long ciliary nerve
         • Sensory innervation to and from the eyeball. Sensation, not vision. (V1 --> nasociliary nerve --> long ciliary nerve)
       • Infratrochlear nerve
         • Sensory innervation to the upper eyelid. (V1 --> nasociliary --> infratrochlear)
       • Anterior ethmoidal nerve
         • Sensory innervation to the lacrimal sac, superficial nose, and anterior nasal cavity (V1 --> nasociliary nerve --> anterior ethmoidal)
       • Posterior ethmoidal nerve
         • Sensory innervation to the paranasal sinuses. (V1 --> nasociliary nerve --> posterior ethmoidal

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