Anatomy and Origin
- The long ciliary nerves branch from the nasociliary nerve as it crosses the optic nerve (CN II).
- The long ciliary nerves originate from the nasociliary nerve.
- The nasociliary nerve crosses the optic nerve (CN II).
- The long ciliary nerves pierce and enter the posterior part of the sclera near where it is entered by the optic nerve.
- The entry point of the long ciliary nerves is near where the optic nerve enters the sclera.
- The long ciliary nerves run between the sclera and the choroid.
- The long ciliary nerves accompany the short ciliary nerves.
Function
- The long ciliary nerves provide sensory innervation to the eyeball, including the cornea.
- The long ciliary nerves contain post-ganglionic sympathetic fibers from the superior cervical ganglion for the dilator pupillae muscle.
- Sympathetic fibers to the dilator pupillae muscle mainly travel in the nasociliary nerve.
- There are also sympathetic fibers in the short ciliary nerves that pass through the ciliary ganglion without forming synapses.
- The long ciliary nerves play a role in controlling the dilation of the pupil.
Course
- The long ciliary nerves run anterior-ward between the sclera and the choroid.
- The course of the long ciliary nerves is anterior-ward.
Related
- Short ciliary nerves are related to the long ciliary nerves.
- The ciliary ganglion is involved in the pathway of the long ciliary nerves.
- The long ciliary nerves are part of the ophthalmic nerve.
- Grays Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice is a reference book that includes information about the long ciliary nerves.
- The long ciliary nerves are classified as a neuroanatomy stub.
Summary
- The long ciliary nerves branch from the nasociliary nerve and provide sensory innervation to the eyeball, including the cornea.
- They also contain sympathetic fibers for the dilator pupillae muscle and play a role in controlling pupil dilation.
- The long ciliary nerves run between the sclera and the choroid, and their course is anterior-ward.
- They are related to the short ciliary nerves and are part of the ophthalmic nerve.
- Additional information about the long ciliary nerves can be found in Grays Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice.
The long ciliary nerves are 2-3 nerves that arise from the nasociliary nerve (itself a branch of the ophthalmic branch (CN V1) of the trigeminal nerve (CN V)). They enter the eyeball to provide sensory innervation to parts of the eye, and sympathetic visceral motor innervation to the dilator pupillae muscle.
| Long ciliary nerves | |
|---|---|
 Nerves of the orbit, and the ciliary ganglion. Side view. | |
| Details | |
| From | Nasociliary nerve |
| Fiber type | "Somatosensory" (via V1 Lacrimal), and "Sympathetic" (via V2 Zygomatic) |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | nervi ciliares longi |
| TA98 | A14.2.01.027 |
| TA2 | 6206 |
| FMA | 52691 |
| Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy | |
