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 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 | |
The zygomatic nerve is a branch of the maxillary nerve (itself a branch of the trigeminal nerve (CN V)). It arises in the pterygopalatine fossa and enters the orbit through the inferior orbital fissure before dividing into its two terminal branches: the zygomaticotemporal nerve and zygomaticofacial nerve.
Through its branches, the zygomatic nerve provides sensory invervation to skin over the zygomatic bone and the temporal bone. It also carries post-ganglionic parasympathetic axons to the lacrimal gland.
It may be blocked by anaesthetising the maxillary nerve.