Zygomatic nerve

Last edit by Alaric Steinmetz on

Synonyms: zygomatic nerve, N. zygomaticus

The zygomatic nerve is a branch of the maxillary nerve, which in turn originates from the trigeminal nerve.

Anatomy

The zygomatic nerve bifurcates in the pterygopalatine fossa from the maxillary nerve and travels through the inferior orbital fissure to the lateral wall of the orbit. The zygomatic nerve branches into the following: [^1]:

  • Ramus communicans with postganglionic parasympathetic secretory fibers for the lacrimal gland.

  • Ramus zygomaticotemporalis as a sensory cutaneous branch.

  • Ramus zygomaticofacialis as a sensory cutaneous branch.

Function

The zygomatic nerve provides sensory innervation to the skin over the zygomatic bone and the temporal bone. The parasympathetic fibers originating from the pterygopalatine ganglion of the greater petrosal nerve, a branch of the facial nerve, run to the lacrimal nerve and provide visceromotor innervation to the lacrimal gland.

Illustration

Orbital nerves
Lateral view of the neural structures in the orbit. Image adapted from Grays Anatomy.