Zygomaticotemporal nerve - Eye - Orbital cavity - e-Anatomy
View the module

Zygomaticotemporal nerve

Nervus zygomaticotemporalis

  • Latin synonym: Ramus temporalis nervi zygomatici
  • Synonym: Temporal branch of zygomatic nerve
  • Related terms: Zygomaticotemporal branch; Zygomaticotemporal branch (Zygomatic nerve [V2]); Zygomaticotemporal branch (Zygomatic nerve)

Definition

The z zygomaticotemporal nerve (nervus zygomaticofacialis; zygomaticotemporal branch) runs along the lateral wall of the orbit in a groove in the zygomatic bone, receives a branch of communication from the lacrimal, and, passing through the zygomaticotemporal foramen in the zygomatic bone, enters the temporal fossa.

It ascends between the bone, and substance of the Temporalis muscle, pierces the temporal fascia about 2.5 cm. above the zygomatic arch, and is distributed to the skin of the side of the forehead, and communicates with the facial nerve and with the aurićulotemporal branch of the mandibular nerve.

As it pierces the temporal fascia, it gives off a slender twig, which runs between the two layers of the fascia to the lateral angle of the orbit.

References

This definition incorporates text from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy (20th U.S. edition of Gray's Anatomy of the Human Body, published in 1918 – from http://www.bartleby.com/107/).

Gallery