Short ciliary nerves

The short ciliary nerves are very fine, sinuous nerves that originate in the ciliary ganglion and follow the path of the optic nerve to the eyeball.

They cross the sclera near the area cribrosa and pass around the choroidea, dividing into a plexiform complex and reaching the ciliary zone. The parasympathetic fibers join the ciliary muscle and the sphincter pupillae muscle. The sympathetic fibers reach the dilator pupillae muscle. This contributes to the dilation (miosis) and constriction (mydriasis) of the pupil.