Zygomatic nerve

Nerve: Zygomatic nerve
Distribution of the maxillary and mandibular nerves, and the submaxillary ganglion. (Zygomatic nerve is second from top.)
Nerves of the orbit, and the ciliary ganglion. Side view. (Zygomatic nerve labeled at bottom center.)
Latin	nervus zygomaticus
Gray's	subject #200 889
From	Maxillary nerve

The zygomatic nerve (temporomalar nerve; orbital nerve) is a branch of the maxillary nerve (a trigeminal nerve branch) that enters the orbit and helps to supply the skin over the zygomatic and temporal bones. The zygomatic nerve is not to be confused with the zygomatic branches of the facial nerve.

Structure

The zygomatic nerve arises in the pterygopalatine fossa. It enters the orbit by the inferior orbital fissure, and divides at the back of that cavity into two branches, the zygomaticotemporal nerve and zygomaticofacial nerve.

The zygomatic nerve carries sensory fibers from the skin. 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.These parasympathetic fibers come from the facial cranial nerve which is the seventh CN.

Additional images

• 

  The nerves of the scalp, face, and side of neck.

See also

• Zygomatic branches of facial nerve

External links

• Zygomatic+nerve at eMedicine Dictionary
• lesson3 at The Anatomy Lesson by Wesley Norman (Georgetown University) (orbit6)
• cranialnerves at The Anatomy Lesson by Wesley Norman (Georgetown University) (V)

This article was originally based on an entry from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy. As such, some of the information contained within it may be outdated.