- Lacrimal nerve
Infobox Nerve
Name = PAGENAME
Latin = nervus lacrimalis
GraySubject = 200
GrayPage = 887
Caption = Dissection showing origins of rightocular muscles , and nerves entering by thesuperior orbital fissure .
Caption2 = Nerves of theorbit , and theciliary ganglion . Side view.
Innervates =lacrimal gland
BranchFrom =ophthalmic nerve
BranchTo =
MeshName =
MeshNumber =
DorlandsPre = n_05
DorlandsSuf = 12566040
The lacrimal nerve is the smallest of the three branches of the ophthalmic.It sometimes receives a filament from the
trochlear nerve , but this is possibly derived from the branch which goes from the ophthalmic to thetrochlear nerve .It passes forward in a separate tube of
dura mater , and enters the orbit through the narrowest part of thesuperior orbital fissure .In the orbit it runs along the upper border of the lateral rectus, with the
lacrimal artery , and communicates with thezygomatic branch of themaxillary nerve .It enters the
lacrimal gland and gives off several filaments, which supply the gland and theconjunctiva .Finally it pierces the
orbital septum , and ends in the skin of the uppereyelid , joining with filaments of thefacial nerve .The lacrimal nerve is occasionally absent, and its place is then taken by the
zygomaticotemporal branch of themaxillary nerve . Sometimes the latter branch is absent, and a continuation of thelacrimal nerve is substituted for it.Functions
It provides innervations for the
lacrimal gland ,conjunctiva , and the lateral upper eyelids.The zygomatic nerve carries sensory fibers from the skin and mucous membranes. It also carries post-synaptic parasympathetic fibers (originating in the pterygopalatine ganglion) to the lacrimal nerve via a communication. These fibers will eventually provide innervation to the lacrimal gland.
=AdditionalExternal links
* - "Orbits and Eye: The Lacrimal Gland"
* - "Branches of Trigeminal Nerve, Lateral View"
*
* (NormanAnatomyFig|VII)
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