CN V (TRIGEMINAL)-C. MAXILLARY DIVISION BRANCHES (4, 4A, 4B)

SUMMARY

4. Zygomatic branch: arises in the pterygopalatine fossa, runs above the maxillary nerve in the infraorbital fissure to enter the orbit
- It passes along the lower-lateral wall of the zygomatico-orbital foramen where it divides into the zygomatico-facial & zygomatico-temporal branches
- Before entering the foramen it gives off a lacrimal branch to the lacrimal nerve (branch of the ophthalmic nerve), thereby providing secremotor fibers to the lacrimal gland

4A. Zygomatico-facial branch: emerges from the infraorbital foramen to supply the outer surface of the zygoma

4B. Zygomatico-temporal branch: emerges in the temporal fossa through a foramen in the temporal surface of the zygomatic bone. Supplies skin over the hairless part of the temple at the level of the upper eyelid



Image: Trigeminal Nerve. Netter. (2014). Atlas of Human Anatomy, Sixth Edition. 6th ed. Elsevier.

Reference(s)

R.M.H McMinn (1998). Last’s anatomy: regional and applied. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone. Get it on Amazon.
Drake, Richard L., et al. Gray's Anatomy for Students. Elsevier, 2023. Get it on Amazon.