Zygomatic nerve

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
From	maxillary nerve
To	zygomaticotemporal nerve zygomaticofacial nerve communicating branch to lacrimal nerve
Innervates	skin over temporal bone and zygomatic bone
Identifiers
Latin	nervus zygomaticus
TA98	A14.2.01.056
TA2	6231
FMA	52967
	Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy [ edit on Wikidata]

Last updated May 03, 2022

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:

the zygomaticotemporal nerve.^[1] This passes through the zygomaticotemporal foramen in the zygomatic bone.^[1]
the zygomaticofacial nerve.^[1] This passes through the zygomaticofacial foramen in the zygomatic bone.^[1]

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

The nerves of the scalp, face, and side of neck.
Branches of the trigeminal nerve. The zygomatic nerve is visible branching from the maxillary nerve and entering the orbit.

Related Research Articles

The parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS) is one of the three divisions of the autonomic nervous system, the others being the sympathetic nervous system and the enteric nervous system. The enteric nervous system is sometimes considered part of the autonomic nervous system, and sometimes considered an independent system.

The facial nerve, also known as the seventh cranial nerve, cranial nerve VII, or simply CN VII, is a cranial nerve that emerges from the pons of the brainstem, controls the muscles of facial expression, and functions in the conveyance of taste sensations from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue. The nerves typically travels from the pons through the facial canal in the temporal bone and exits the skull at the stylomastoid foramen. It arises from the brainstem from an area posterior to the cranial nerve VI and anterior to cranial nerve VIII.

In anatomy, the orbit is the cavity or socket of the skull in which the eye and its appendages are situated. "Orbit" can refer to the bony socket, or it can also be used to imply the contents. In the adult human, the volume of the orbit is 30 millilitres, of which the eye occupies 6.5 ml. The orbital contents comprise the eye, the orbital and retrobulbar fascia, extraocular muscles, cranial nerves II, III, IV, V, and VI, blood vessels, fat, the lacrimal gland with its sac and duct, the eyelids, medial and lateral palpebral ligaments, check ligaments, the suspensory ligament, septum, ciliary ganglion and short ciliary nerves.

Lacrimal gland Exocrine gland, one for each eye, that secrete tears

The lacrimal glands are paired exocrine glands, one for each eye, found in most terrestrial vertebrates and some marine mammals, that secrete the aqueous layer of the tear film. In humans, they are situated in the upper lateral region of each orbit, in the lacrimal fossa of the orbit formed by the frontal bone. Inflammation of the lacrimal glands is called dacryoadenitis. The lacrimal gland produces tears which are secreted by the lacrimal ducts, and flow over the ocular surface, and then into canals that connect to the lacrimal sac. From that sac, the tears drain through the lacrimal duct into the nose.

The pterygopalatine ganglion is a parasympathetic ganglion found in the pterygopalatine fossa. It is largely innervated by the greater petrosal nerve ; and its axons project to the lacrimal glands and nasal mucosa. The flow of blood to the nasal mucosa, in particular the venous plexus of the conchae, is regulated by the pterygopalatine ganglion and heats or cools the air in the nose. It is one of four parasympathetic ganglia of the head and neck, the others being the submandibular ganglion, otic ganglion, and ciliary ganglion.

Ciliary ganglion Bundle of nerve parasympathetic ganglion

The ciliary ganglion is a bundle of nerve parasympathetic ganglion located just behind the eye in the posterior orbit. It is 1–2 mm in diameter and in humans contains approximately 2,500 neurons. The ganglion contains postganglionic parasympathetic neurons. These neurons supply the pupillary sphincter muscle, which constricts the pupil, and the ciliary muscle which contracts to make the lens more convex. Both of these muscles are involuntary since they are controlled by the parasympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system.

The maxillary nerve (V₂) is one of the three branches or divisions of the trigeminal nerve, the fifth (CN V) cranial nerve. It comprises the principal functions of sensation from the maxilla, nasal cavity, sinuses, the palate and subsequently that of the mid-face, and is intermediate, both in position and size, between the ophthalmic nerve and the mandibular nerve.

Ophthalmic nerve Sensory nerve of the face

The ophthalmic nerve (V₁) is a sensory nerve of the face. It is one of three divisions of the trigeminal nerve (CN V). It has three branches that provide sensory innervation to the eye, the skin of the upper face, and the skin of the anterior scalp.

Foramen rotundum Hole in the sphenoid bone of the skull

The foramen rotundum is a circular hole in the sphenoid bone of the skull. It connects the middle cranial fossa and the pterygopalatine fossa. It allows for the passage of the maxillary nerve (V₂), a branch of the trigeminal nerve.

In human anatomy, the pterygopalatine fossa is a fossa in the skull. A human skull contains two pterygopalatine fossae—one on the left side, and another on the right side. Each fossa is a cone-shaped paired depression deep to the infratemporal fossa and posterior to the maxilla on each side of the skull, located between the pterygoid process and the maxillary tuberosity close to the apex of the orbit. It is the indented area medial to the pterygomaxillary fissure leading into the sphenopalatine foramen. It communicates with the nasal and oral cavities, infratemporal fossa, orbit, pharynx, and middle cranial fossa through eight foramina.

The lacrimal nerve is the smallest branch of the ophthalmic nerve (V₁), itself a branch of the trigeminal nerve (CN V). The other branches of the ophthalmic nerve are the frontal nerve and nasociliary nerve.

Supratrochlear nerve Nerve of the forehead

The supratrochlear nerve is a branch of the frontal nerve, itself a branch of the ophthalmic nerve (CN V₁) from the trigeminal nerve (CN V). It provides sensory innervation to the skin of the forehead and the upper eyelid.

The nasopalatine nerve (long sphenopalatine nerve) is a nerve of the head. It is a branch of the pterygopalatine ganglion, a continuation from the maxillary nerve (V₂). It supplies the structures of the palate, and partially supplies the nasal septum.

Zygomaticotemporal nerve Small nerve of the face

The zygomaticotemporal nerve (zygomaticotemporal branch, temporal branch) is a small nerve of the face. It is derived from the zygomatic nerve, a branch of the maxillary nerve (CN V₂). It is distributed to the skin of the side of the forehead. It communicates with the facial nerve and with the auriculotemporal branch of the mandibular nerve.

Infratemporal fossa Cavity that is part of the skull

The infratemporal fossa is an irregularly shaped cavity that is a part of the skull. It is situated below and medial to the zygomatic arch. It is not fully enclosed by bone in all directions. It contains superficial muscles, including the lower part of the temporalis muscle, the lateral pterygoid muscle, and the medial pterygoid muscle. It also contains important blood vessels such as the middle meningeal artery, the pterygoid plexus, and the retromandibular vein, and nerves such as the mandibular nerve (CN V₃) and its branches.

The nerve of the pterygoid canal is formed by the junction of the greater petrosal nerve and deep petrosal nerve, which passes from the foramen lacerum to the pterygopalatine fossa through the pterygoid canal.

Infraorbital nerve Branch of the maxillary nerve supplying the face

The infraorbital nerve is a branch of the maxillary nerve, itself a branch of the trigeminal nerve. It travels through the orbit and enters the infraorbital canal to exit onto the face through the infraorbital foramen. It provides sensory innervation to the skin and mucous membranes around the middle of the face.

Zygomatic branches of the facial nerve Nerves of the face

The zygomatic branches of the facial nerve (malar branches) are nerves of the face. They run across the zygomatic bone to the lateral angle of the orbit. Here, they supply the orbicularis oculi muscle, and join with filaments from the lacrimal nerve and the zygomaticofacial branch of the maxillary nerve (CN V₂).

Greater palatine nerve Branch of the pterygopalatine ganglion

The greater palatine nerve is a branch of the pterygopalatine ganglion. It carries both general sensory fibres from the maxillary nerve, and parasympathetic fibers from the nerve of the pterygoid canal. It may be anaesthetised for procedures of the mouth and maxillary (upper) teeth.

Intermediate nerve Portion of the facial nerve

The intermediate nerve, nervus intermedius, nerve of Wrisberg or Glossopalatine nerve, is the part of the facial nerve located between the motor component of the facial nerve and the vestibulocochlear nerve. It contains the sensory and parasympathetic fibers of the facial nerve. Upon reaching the facial canal, it joins with the motor root of the facial nerve at the geniculate ganglion. Alex Alfieri postulates, that the intermediate nerve should be considered as a separate cranial nerve and not a part of the facial nerve.

References

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.
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.
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.
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.
↑ 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.
↑ 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.

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.

[:1-1] 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.

[:3-2] 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.

[:2-3] 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.

[:0-4] 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.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]