The zygomatic nerve is a branch of the

maxillary nerve In neuroanatomy, the maxillary nerve (V) is one of the three branches or divisions of the trigeminal nerve, the fifth (CN V) cranial nerve. It comprises the principal functions of Sense, sensation from the maxilla, nasal cavity, Sinus (anatomy ...

(itself a branch of the

trigeminal nerve In neuroanatomy, the trigeminal nerve (literal translation, lit. ''triplet'' nerve), also known as the fifth cranial nerve, cranial nerve V, or simply CN V, is a cranial nerve responsible for Sense, sensation in the face and motor functions ...

(CN V)). It arises in the

pterygopalatine fossa In human anatomy, the pterygopalatine fossa (sphenopalatine 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 dee ...

and enters the

orbit In celestial mechanics, an orbit (also known as orbital revolution) is the curved trajectory of an object such as the trajectory of a planet around a star, or of a natural satellite around a planet, or of an artificial satellite around an ...

through the

inferior orbital fissure The inferior orbital fissure is a gap between the Greater wing of sphenoid bone, greater wing of sphenoid bone, and the maxilla. It connects the Orbit (anatomy), orbit (anteriorly) with the infratemporal fossa and pterygopalatine fossa (posterio ...

before dividing into its two terminal branches: the

zygomaticotemporal nerve The zygomaticotemporal nerve (zygomaticotemporal branch, temporal branch) is a cutaneous ( sensory) nerve of the head. It is a branch of the zygomatic nerve (itself a branch of the maxillary nerve (CN V2)). It arises in the orbit and exits the o ...

and

zygomaticofacial nerve The zygomaticofacial nerve (or zygomaticofacial branch of zygomatic nerve or malar branch of zygomatic nerve) is a cutaneous ( sensory) branch of the maxillary nerve (CN V2) that arises within the orbit. The zygomaticofacial nerve penetrates the ...

. Through its branches, the zygomatic nerve provides sensory invervation to

skin Skin is the layer of usually soft, flexible outer tissue covering the body of a vertebrate animal, with three main functions: protection, regulation, and sensation. Other animal coverings, such as the arthropod exoskeleton, have different ...

over the

zygomatic bone In the human skull, the zygomatic bone (from ), also called cheekbone or malar bone, is a paired irregular bone, situated at the upper and lateral part of the face and forming part of the lateral wall and floor of the orbit, of the temporal fos ...

and the

temporal bone The temporal bone is a paired bone situated at the sides and base of the skull, lateral to the temporal lobe of the cerebral cortex. The temporal bones are overlaid by the sides of the head known as the temples where four of the cranial bone ...

. It also carries post-ganglionic parasympathetic axons to the

lacrimal gland 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 o ...

. It may be blocked by anaesthetising the

Structure

Origin

The zygomatic nerve is a branch of the

(CN V₂). It arises at the

pterygopalatine ganglion The pterygopalatine ganglion (aka Meckel's ganglion, nasal ganglion, or sphenopalatine ganglion) is a parasympathetic ganglion in the pterygopalatine fossa. It is one of four parasympathetic ganglia of the head and neck, (the others being the s ...

Course

It exits from the pterygopalatine fossa through the

to enter the

. In the orbit, it travels anteriorly along its lateral wall.

Branches

Soon after the zygomatic nerve enters the orbit, it divides into its branches. These include: *

Zygomaticotemporal nerve The zygomaticotemporal nerve (zygomaticotemporal branch, temporal branch) is a cutaneous ( sensory) nerve of the head. It is a branch of the zygomatic nerve (itself a branch of the maxillary nerve (CN V2)). It arises in the orbit and exits the o ...

Zygomaticofacial nerve The zygomaticofacial nerve (or zygomaticofacial branch of zygomatic nerve or malar branch of zygomatic nerve) is a cutaneous ( sensory) branch of the maxillary nerve (CN V2) that arises within the orbit. The zygomaticofacial nerve penetrates the ...

* A communicating branch to

lacrimal nerve The lacrimal nerve is the smallest of the three main branches of the ophthalmic nerve (CN V1) (itself a branch of the trigeminal nerve (CN V)). It enters the orbit outside the common tendinous ring and passes forward along the side wall of the ...

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

and the

Function

The terminal branches of the zygomatic nerve contain sensory axons. These provide sensation to the

over the

and the

. The zygomatic nerve also carries postganglionic parasympathetic axons. These axons have their cell bodies in the

. They travel from the ganglion to the zygomatic nerve, and then to the

through a communicating branch. From the lacrimal nerve, they enter the

and provide secretomotor supply.

Clinical significance

The zygomatic nerve can be blocked indirectly by anaesthetising the

(CN V₂). The zygomatic nerve and its branches may be damaged by a

fracture Fracture is the appearance of a crack or complete separation of an object or material into two or more pieces under the action of stress (mechanics), stress. The fracture of a solid usually occurs due to the development of certain displacemen ...

to the

Additional images

File:Gray790.png, The nerves of the scalp, face, and side of neck. File:Gray778.png, Branches of the trigeminal nerve. The zygomatic nerve is visible branching from the maxillary nerve and entering the orbit.

References

{{Authority control Maxillary nerve