Zygomaticofacial nerve
Branch of the maxillary nerve
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The zygomaticofacial nerve (or zygomaticofacial branch of zygomatic nerve or malar branch of zygomatic nerve[citation needed]) is a cutaneous (sensory) branch of the maxillary nerve (CN V2) that arises within the orbit.[1] The zygomaticofacial nerve penetrates[dubious – discuss] the inferolateral angle of the orbit, emerging into the face through[2]: 631 the zygomaticofacial foramen,[2]: 615 then penetrates the orbicularis oculi muscle to reach[2]: 631 and innervate the skin of the prominence of the cheek.[2]: 631 [3]
| Zygomaticofacial nerve | |
|---|---|
Distribution of the maxillary and mandibular nerves, and the submaxillary ganglion (zygomaticofacial not labeled, but region visible) | |
 Mandibular division of the trifacial nerve (zygomaticofacial labeled at center right) | |
| Details | |
| From | Zygomatic nerve |
| Innervates | Prominence of the cheek |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | ramus zygomaticofacialis nervi zygomatici |
| TA98 | A14.2.01.058 |
| TA2 | 6234 |
| FMA | 52973 |
| Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy | |
Anatomy
Communications
The zygomaticofacial nerve forms a nerve plexus with the zygomatic branches of facial nerve (CN VII), and the inferior palpebral branches of maxillary nerve (V2).[2]: 631
Variation
The nerve may sometimes be absent.[2]: 631
