Structure[edit]

The frontal branch passes through the orbit superiorly, then reenters the frontal bone briefly
before exiting above the orbit through the superior orbital fissure and the supraorbital notch to
provide sensory innervation for the skin of the forehead and scalp. The lacrimal nerve passes
through the orbit superiorly to innervate the lacrimal gland. The nasociliary branch gives off
several sensory branches to the orbit and then continues out through the anterior ethmoidal
foramen, where it enters the nasal cavity and provides innervation for much of the anterior nasal
mucosa. It also gives off a branch which exits through the nasal bones to form the external nasal
nerve.

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.

Branches[edit]

Nasociliary nerve

sensory root of ciliary ganglion

posterior ethmoidal nerve

long ciliary nerve

infratrochlear nerve

anterior ethmoidal nerve

lacrimal nerve

frontal nerve

supratrochlear nerve

supraorbital nerve

Function[edit]

The ophthalmic nerve supplies branches 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.

It is the smallest of the three divisions of the trigeminal, and arises from the upper part of the
trigeminal 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 nerves; just before
entering the orbit, through the superior orbital fissure, it divides into three branches, lacrimal,
frontal, and nasociliary.

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.

Roughly speaking, the ophthalmic nerve supplies general somatic afferents to the upper face,
skull, and eye:

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.

Compare this to the maxillary nerve, which supplies general somatic afferents to the mid-face
and skull:

Face: Lower eyelid and associated conjunctiva. Cheek, upper lip.

Skull: Orbital floor, maxillary sinus, upper teeth, nasal cavity, and palate, cheekbone.