Zygomatic nerve


The zygomatic nerve is a branch of the maxillary nerve, itself a branch of the trigeminal nerve. It travels through the orbit and divides into branches that provide sensory innervation to skin over the zygomatic and temporal bones.

Structure

The zygomatic nerve branches from the maxillary nerve at the pterygopalatine ganglion. It travels from the pterygopalatine fossa through the inferior orbital fissure to enter the orbit. In the orbit it travels anteriorly along the lateral wall. Soon after it enters the orbit it divides into the zygomaticotemporal and zygomaticofacial nerves. These nerves then travel through identically named foramina in the orbital surface of the zygomatic bone.

Branches

The terminal branches of the zygomatic nerve contain sensory axons which provide innervation to the skin overlying the temporal and zygomatic bones.
The zygomatic nerve also carries postganglionic parasympathetic axons. These axons have their cell bodies in the pterygopalatine ganglion. They travel from the ganglion to the zygomatic nerve and then to the lacrimal nerve through a communicating branch. From the lacrimal nerve they enter the lacrimal gland and provide secretomotor innervation.

Variation

Sometimes the zygomatic nerve doesn't branch within the orbit and rather enters a single foramen in the zygomatic bone called the zygomatico-orbital foramen. In this case, it divides within the bone into the zygomaticotemporal and zygomaticofacial nerves.

Additional images