Ophthalmic nerve
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{{Infobox Nerve |
Name = Ophthalmic nerve |
Latin = n. ophthalmicus |
GraySubject = 200 |
GrayPage = 887 |
Image = Gray571.png |
Caption = Oblique section through the [[cavernous sinus]]. |
Image2 = Gray777.png |
Caption2 = Nerves of the orbit, and the [[ciliary ganglion]]. Side view. |
Innervates = |
BranchFrom = [[trigeminal nerve]] |
BranchTo = |
MeshName = Ophthalmic+Nerve |
MeshNumber = A08.800.800.120.760.650 |
}}
The '''ophthalmic nerve''' is one of the three branches of the [[trigeminal nerve]], the fifth [[cranial nerve]]. Like the [[maxillary nerve|maxillary]] branch of the trigeminal nerve, the ophthalmic branch carries sensory fibers only. The ophthalmic nerve passes through the [[cavernous sinus]] and its nasociliary branch exits the [[skull]] through the [[superior orbital fissure]].
==Branches==
*[[Nasociliary nerve]]
**[[sensory root of ciliary ganglion]]
**[[posterior ethmodial nerve]]
**[[long ciliary nerve]]
**[[infratrochlear nerve]]
**[[anterior ethmoidal nerve]]
*[[lacrimal nerve]]
*[[frontal nerve]]
**[[supratrochlear nerve]]
**[[supraorbital nerve]]
==Path==
The ophthalmic nerve supplies branches to the [[cornea]], [[ciliary body]], and [[Iris (anatomy)|iris]]; to the [[lacrimal gland]] and [[conjunctiva]]; to the part of the [[mucous membrane]] of the [[nasal cavity]]; and to the skin of the [[eyelids]], [[eyebrow]], [[forehead]], and [[nose]].
It is the smallest of the three divisions of the trigeminal, and arises from the upper part of the [[semilunar ganglion]] as a short, flattened band, about 2.5 cm. long, which passes forward along the lateral wall of the cavernous sinus, below the [[oculomotor]] and [[trochlear nerve]]s; just before entering the orbit, through the [[superior orbital fissure]], it divides into three branches, lacrimal, frontal, and nasociliary.
The ophthalmic nerve is joined by filaments from the [[cavernous plexus]] of the sympathetic, and communicates with the [[oculomotor]], [[trochlear]], and [[abducent]] nerves; it gives off a recurrent (meningeal) filament which passes between the layers of the [[tentorium cerebelli|tentorium]].
==Additional images==
<gallery>
Image:Gray776.png|Nerves of the orbit. Seen from above.
Image:Gray784.png|Dermatome distribution of the trigeminal nerve
Image:Ciliary ganglion pathways.png|Pathways in the Ciliary Ganglion.
</gallery>
{{Gray's}}
==External links==
* {{LoyolaMedEd|GrossAnatomy/h_n/cn/cn1/cnb1.htm}}
* {{UMichAtlas|eye_33}}
* {{NormanAnatomy|cranialnerves}} ({{NormanAnatomyFig|V}})
{{Cranial nerves}}
{{Trigeminal nerve}}
{{neuroscience-stub}}
{{eye-stub}}
[[de:Nervus ophthalmicus]]
[[es:Nervio oftálmico]]
[[nl:Nervus ophthalmicus]]
[[ja:眼神経]]
[[pl:Nerw oczny]]
[[pt:Nervo oftálmico]]