Structure and Origin
- The supratrochlear nerve is a terminal branch of the frontal nerve.
- It arises midway between the base and apex of the orbit.
- The supratrochlear nerve passes above the trochlea of the superior oblique muscle.
- It travels anteriorly above the levator palpebrae superioris muscle.
- The nerve exits the orbit through the supraorbital notch or foramen.
Course
- The supratrochlear nerve passes medially above the trochlea of the superior oblique muscle.
- It then travels anteriorly above the levator palpebrae superioris muscle.
- Exiting the orbit through the supraorbital notch or foramen.
- It ascends onto the forehead beneath the corrugator supercilii muscle and frontalis muscle.
- Finally, it divides into sensory branches.
Function
- The supratrochlear nerve provides sensory innervation to the skin and conjunctiva of the upper eyelid.
- It also innervates the skin of the inferomedial forehead.
- The nerve may provide sensory innervation to part of the periosteum of the frontal bone.
Clinical Significance
- The supratrochlear nerve can be anesthetized for surgery of parts of the scalp.
- It is used for small lesions or more extensive injuries to the scalp.
- Often, the nerve is anesthetized alongside the supraorbital artery.
None
The supratrochlear nerve is a branch of the frontal nerve, itself a branch of the ophthalmic nerve (CN V1) from the trigeminal nerve (CN V). It provides sensory innervation to the skin of the forehead and the upper eyelid.
Supratrochlear nerve | |
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![]() Sensory areas of the head, showing the general distribution of the three divisions of the fifth nerve. (Supratrochlear nerve labeled at upper left.) | |
![]() Nerves of the orbit. Seen from above. (Supratrochlear nerve visible near top.) | |
Details | |
From | Frontal nerve |
Identifiers | |
Latin | nervus supratrochlearis |
TA98 | A14.2.01.024 |
TA2 | 6203 |
FMA | 52642 |
Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy |
supratrochlear nerve (plural supratrochlear nerves)