The ophthalmic nerve (CN V1) is a sensory nerve of the head. It is one of three divisions of the trigeminal nerve (CN V), the fifth cranial nerve. It has three major branches which provide sensory innervation to the eye, and the skin of the upper face and anterior scalp, as well as other structures of the head.
| Ophthalmic nerve | |
|---|---|
 Oblique section through the cavernous sinus. | |
 Nerves of the orbit, and the ciliary ganglion. Side view. | |
| Details | |
| From | Trigeminal nerve |
| To | Frontal nerve, lacrimal nerve, nasociliary nerve |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | nervus ophthalmicus |
| MeSH | D009882 |
| TA98 | A14.2.01.016 |
| TA2 | 6196 |
| FMA | 52621 |
| Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy | |
Structure
editOrigin
editThe ophthalmic nerve is the first branch of the trigeminal nerve (CN V), the first and smallest of its three divisions.[1] It arises from the superior part of the trigeminal ganglion.
Course
editIt passes anterior-ward along the lateral wall of the cavernous sinus inferior to the oculomotor nerve (CN III) and trochlear nerve (CN IV).[1] It exits the skull into the orbit through the superior orbital fissure.[2]
Branches
editDistribution
editThe ophthalmic nerve provides sensory innervation to the cornea, ciliary body, and 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.[3]
It carries sensory branches from the eyes, conjunctiva, lacrimal gland, nasal cavity, frontal sinus, ethmoidal cells, falx cerebri, dura mater in the anterior cranial fossa, superior parts of the tentorium cerebelli, upper eyelid, dorsum of the nose, and anterior part of the scalp.[4][5]
Roughly speaking, the ophthalmic nerve supplies general somatic afferents to the upper face, head, and eye:[3]
- Face: Upper eyelid and associated conjunctiva. Eyebrow, forehead, scalp all the way to the lambdoid suture.
- Skull: Roof of orbit, frontal, ethmoid, and possibly sphenoid sinuses.
- Eye: The eye itself (all the intraocular structures such as cornea) and the lacrimal gland and sac.
In comparison, the maxillary nerve (CN V2) provides general somatic afferents to the mid-face and mid-head.[6]
Clinical significance
editDamage to the ophthalmic nerve can cause loss of sensation of the structures it supplies in the face.[7] The corneal reflex may be lost, which can increase the risk of damage to the cornea.[7]
Additional images
edit
Nerves of the orbit. Seen from above.
Dermatome distribution of the trigeminal nerve
Pathways in the ciliary ganglion.
Ophthalmic nerve
Ophthalmic nerve
Extrinsic eye muscle. Nerves of orbita. Deep dissection.
Extrinsic eye muscle. Nerves of orbita. Deep dissection.
Extrinsic eye muscle. Nerves of orbita. Deep dissection.
Extrinsic eye muscle. Nerves of orbita. Deep dissection.
Extrinsic eye muscle. Nerves of orbita. Deep dissection.
See also
edit- Optic nerve (CN II)
- Optic tract
References
edit
This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 887 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)
- 1 2 3 4 5 Essential Clinically Applied Anatomy of the Peripheral Nervous System in the Head and Neck. Elsevier. 2016. pp. 58–59. doi:10.1016/c2014-0-05021-6. ISBN 978-0-12-803633-4.
- ↑ Huff, Trevor; Weisbrod, Luke J.; Daly, Daniel T. (April 20, 2024). Neuroanatomy, Cranial Nerve 5 (Trigeminal). Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing. PMID 29489263.
- 1 2 "The Trigeminal Nerve: Anatomical Pathways. Trigeminocardiac Reflex Trigger Points", Trigeminocardiac Reflex, Academic Press, pp. 9–35, 2015-01-01, doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-800421-0.00002-3, retrieved 2026-03-22
- ↑ Rea, Paul (2014). Trigeminal Nerve. pp. 47–62. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-800898-0.00005-1. ISBN 978-0-12-800898-0. Retrieved 2026-03-22.
- ↑ Rea, Paul (2016). Head. pp. 21–130. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-803633-4.00002-8. ISBN 978-0-12-803633-4. Retrieved 2026-03-22.
- ↑ Arx, Thomas von; ZAbdelkarim, Ahmed Z.; Lozanoff, Scott (2017-12-15). "The Face – A Neurosensory Perspective". Swiss Dental Journal SSO – Science and Clinical Topics. 127 (12): 1066–1075. doi:10.61872/sdj-2017-12-346. ISSN 2296-6501. PMID 30920784.
- 1 2 Lin, Frank R.; Niparko, John K. (2009). "52 - Complications of Lateral Skull-Base Surgery". Complications in Head and Neck Surgery (2nd ed.). Mosby. pp. 689–701. doi:10.1016/B978-141604220-4.50056-0. ISBN 978-1-4160-4220-4.
External links
edit- MedEd at Loyola GrossAnatomy/h_n/cn/cn1/cnb1.htm
- Atlas image: eye_33 at the University of Michigan Health System
- cranialnerves at The Anatomy Lesson by Wesley Norman (Georgetown University) (V)
