Structure and Origin
- The zygomaticotemporal nerve is a branch of the zygomatic nerve.
- It passes along the lateral wall of the orbit in a groove in the zygomatic bone.
- It passes through the zygomaticotemporal foramen of the zygomatic bone to emerge at the anterior portion of the temporal fossa.
- In the temporal fossa, it passes between the two layers of the temporal fascia, between the temporal bone and temporalis muscle.
- It pierces the temporal fascia about 2 cm superior to the zygomatic arch.
- It originates in the zygomatic bone.
- It is part of the trigeminal nerve (CN V).
- Its origin is located in the lateral wall of the orbit.
Course
- The zygomaticotemporal nerve passes along the lateral wall of the orbit in a groove in the zygomatic bone.
- It passes through the zygomaticotemporal foramen of the zygomatic bone.
- It emerges at the anterior portion of the temporal fossa.
- In the temporal fossa, it passes between the two layers of the temporal fascia.
- It pierces the temporal fascia about 2 cm superior to the zygomatic arch.
Distribution
- The zygomaticotemporal nerve provides sensory innervation to a small area of skin over the temple.
- It is responsible for sensory innervation superior to the zygomatic arch.
- The nerve covers a small area of skin on the temple.
Communications
- The zygomaticotemporal nerve communicates with the facial nerve (CN VII).
- It also communicates with the lacrimal nerve, a branch of the ophthalmic nerve (CN V1).
- It communicates with the auriculotemporal nerve, a branch of the mandibular nerve (CN V).
- The zygomaticotemporal nerve confers a parasympathetic secretomotor communicating branch to the lacrimal nerve.
- The parasympathetic branch contains post-ganglionic fibers for the lacrimal gland from the pterygopalatine ganglion.
Function
- The zygomaticotemporal nerve is a sensory nerve.
- It is part of the trigeminal nerve (CN V).
- It provides sensory innervation to a small area of skin over the temple and superior to the zygomatic arch.
The zygomaticotemporal nerve (zygomaticotemporal branch, temporal branch) is a cutaneous (sensory) nerve of the head. It is a branch of the zygomatic nerve (itself a branch of the maxillary nerve (CN V2)). It arises in the orbit and exits the orbit through the zygomaticotemporal foramen in the zygomatic bone to enter the temporal fossa. It is distributed to the skin of the side of the forehead. It also contains a parasympathetic secretomotor component for the lacrimal gland which it confers to the lacrimal nerve (which then delivers it to the gland).
Zygomaticotemporal nerve | |
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Details | |
From | maxillary nerve |
Innervates | skin on side of forehead |
Identifiers | |
Latin | Ramus zygomaticotemporalis nervi zygomatici |
TA98 | A14.2.01.057 |
TA2 | 6232 |
FMA | 52972 |
Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy |
zygomaticotemporal nerve (plural zygomaticotemporal nerves)