Lacrimal nerve
Nerves of the orbit, the lacrimal nerve is visible, labelled over the eye.
Details
Fromophthalmic nerve
Innervateslacrimal gland, conjunctiva, skin of lateral forehead, scalp and upper eyelid
Identifiers
Latinnervus lacrimalis
TA98A14.2.01.018
TA26198
FMA52628
Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy

The lacrimal nerve is the smallest of the three main branches of the ophthalmic nerve (CN V1) (itself a branch of the trigeminal nerve (CN V)).[1][2]: 402 

It enters the orbit outside the common tendinous ring and passes forward along the side wall of the orbit.

It provides sensory innervation to the skin and both surfaces of conjunctiva at the lateral portion of the upper eyelid.

It also receives a parasympathetic secretomotor communicating branch for the lacrimal gland which it conveys to the gland.

Structure

Origin

The lacrimal nerve branches from the ophthalmic nerve immediately before traveling through the superior orbital fissure to enter the orbit.[citation needed]

At the superior portion of the lateral wall of the orbit, it also receives a secretomotor[2]: 495  communicating[2]: 402  parasympathetic[3] branch from the zygomaticotemporal nerve[2]: 495  for the lacrimal gland.[2]: 402 

Course

It enters the orbit through the superior orbital fissure outside (lateral to[2]: 495 ) the common tendinous ring, coursing lateral to the frontal nerve and trochlear nerve (CN IV).[3] Once inside the orbit, it travels anterior-ward along (the superior portion of[2]: 495 ) the lateral wall of the orbit upon the superior margin of the lateral rectus muscle;[3][2]: 402  here, it receives a secretomotor branch for the lacrimal gland from the zygomaticotemporal nerve.[2]: 495  It is accompanied by the lacrimal artery along its course through the orbit.[citation needed] It travels through the lacrimal gland,[3] supplying the gland with sensory and parasympathetic branches, then continuing anteriorly as a few small sensory branches.[citation needed] It pierces the orbital septum to reach its terminal target tissues.[2]: 402 

Distribution

Sensory

The lacrimal nerve provides sensory innervation to:

Parasympathetic

At the superior portion of the lateral wall of the orbit, the lacrimal nerve receives a secretomotor[2]: 495  communicating[2]: 402  parasympathetic[3] branch (containing post-ganglionic fibres for the lacrimal gland from the pterygopalatine ganglion[2]: 399 ) from the zygomaticotemporal nerve[2]: 495  which it conveys to the lacrimal gland.[2]: 402 

Variation

Occasionally, the lacrimal nerve is replaced by the zygomaticotemporal nerve, and vice versa.[1]

Additional images

References

  1. ^ a b Standring, Susan (2020). Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice (42th ed.). New York. p. 631. ISBN 978-0-7020-7707-4. OCLC 1201341621.((cite book)): CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t Sinnatamby, Chummy S. (2011). Last's Anatomy (12th ed.). Elsevier Australia. ISBN 978-0-7295-3752-0.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Standring, Susan (2020). Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice (42nd ed.). New York. p. 782. ISBN 978-0-7020-7707-4. OCLC 1201341621.((cite book)): CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
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