Zygomatic nerve

Zygomatic nerve
Lateral view of the nerves of the orbit. The zygomatic nerve is visible at bottom centre branching from the maxillary nerve.
Details
Frommaxillary nerve
Tozygomaticotemporal nerve

zygomaticofacial nerve

communicating branch to lacrimal nerve
Innervatesskin over temporal bone and zygomatic bone
Identifiers
Latinnervus zygomaticus
TA98A14.2.01.056
TA26231
FMA52967
Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy

The zygomatic nerve is a branch of the maxillary nerve, itself a branch of the trigeminal nerve (CN V). It travels through the orbit and divides into the zygomaticotemporal and the zygomaticofacial nerve. It provides sensory supply to skin over the zygomatic bone and the temporal bone. It also carries postganglionic parasympathetic axons to the lacrimal gland. It may be blocked by anaesthetising the maxillary nerve.

Structure

The zygomatic nerve is a branch of the maxillary nerve (CN V2), itself a branch of the trigeminal nerve (CN V).[1][2] It branches at the pterygopalatine ganglion.[1] It travels from the pterygopalatine fossa through the inferior orbital fissure to enter the orbit.[1][3] In the orbit, it travels anteriorly along the lateral wall.[3]

Branches

Soon after the zygomatic nerve enters the orbit it divides into its branches. These include:

It also gives off a communicating branch to the lacrimal nerve.[1]

Variation

Sometimes, the zygomatic nerve does not branch within the orbit. Instead, it enters a single foramen in the zygomatic bone called the zygomatico-orbital foramen. In this case, it divides within the bone into the zygomaticotemporal nerve and the zygomaticofacial nerve.[4]

Function

The terminal branches of the zygomatic nerve contain sensory axons.[1] These provide sensation to the skin over the temporal bone and the zygomatic bone.[4]

The zygomatic nerve also carries postganglionic parasympathetic axons.[1] These axons have their cell bodies in the pterygopalatine ganglion. They travel from the ganglion to the zygomatic nerve, and then to the lacrimal nerve through a communicating branch. From the lacrimal nerve, they enter the lacrimal gland and provide secretomotor supply.[5]

Clinical significance

The zygomatic nerve can be blocked indirectly by anaesthetising the maxillary nerve (CN V2).[2] The zygomatic nerve and its branches may be damaged by a fracture to the zygomatic bone.[6]

Additional images

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Rea, Paul (2016). "2 - Head". Essential Clinically Applied Anatomy of the Peripheral Nervous System in the Head and Neck. Academic Press. pp. 21–130. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-803633-4.00002-8. ISBN 978-0-12-803633-4.
  2. 1 2 Pai, Umeshraya T.; Nayak, Rajeshri; Molloy, Robert E. (2005). "72 - Head and Neck Blocks". Essentials of Pain Medicine and Regional Anesthesia (2nd ed.). Churchill Livingstone. pp. 598–606. doi:10.1016/B978-0-443-06651-1.50076-9. ISBN 978-0-443-06651-1.
  3. 1 2 Forrester, John V.; Dick, Andrew D.; McMenamin, Paul G.; Roberts, Fiona; Pearlman, Eric (2016). "1 - Anatomy of the eye and orbit". The Eye - Basic Sciences in Practice (4th ed.). Saunders. pp. 1–102. doi:10.1016/B978-0-7020-5554-6.00001-0. ISBN 978-0-7020-5554-6.
  4. 1 2 Standring, Susan, ed. (2016). Gray's anatomy : the anatomical basis of clinical practice (41 ed.). Philadelphia: Elsevier. ISBN 978-0-7020-5230-9. OCLC 920806541.
  5. ↑ Anderson, B. C.; McLoon, L. K. (2010). "Cranial Nerves and Autonomic Innervation in the Orbit". Encyclopedia of the Eye. Academic Press. pp. 537–548. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-374203-2.00285-2. ISBN 978-0-12-374203-2.
  6. ↑ Gellrich, Nils-Claudius Bernhard; Zimmerer, Rüdiger M. (2017). "7 - Surgical Management of Maxillary and Zygomatic Fractures". Maxillofacial Surgery. Vol. 1 (3rd ed.). Churchill Livingstone. pp. 93–132. doi:10.1016/B978-0-7020-6056-4.00007-1. ISBN 978-0-7020-6056-4.
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