Ophthalmic nerve

The ophthalmic nerve is the first (V1) and smallest of the three nerve branches of the Trigeminal nerve and is a purely sensory and afferent nerve branch.

Anatomy

The ophthalmic nerve arises from the trigeminal ganglion as the most superiorly located nerve. The ophthalmic nerve then courses for approximately 2.5 cm in the inferolateral wall of the Cavernous sinus and then enters the Superior orbital fissure into the Orbit[^1]. The ophthalmic nerve divides into the following nerve branches:

• Tentorial branch

• Nervus frontalis

• Lacrimal nerve

• Nasociliary nerve

Function

Through its nerve branches, the ophthalmic nerve provides sensory innervation to the following structures:

• Tentorium cerebelli

• Dura mater

• Falx cerebri

• Frontal sinus

• Sphenoid sinus

• Ethmoid sinus

• Lacrimal gland

• Nasal cavity mucosa

• Iris

• Cornea

• Ciliary body

• Upper eyelid

• Frontal region and nasal bridge

Figure