Cranial nerves of the orbit (Nervi craniales orbitae)
Educational content only — not medical advice.
Anatomy
A merged group of the fine nerve branches crossing the orbital cavity in the BodyParts3D model, uniting the branches of the cranial nerves and those leaving the ciliary ganglion for both sides into a single structure. Together these nerves move the six extraocular muscles and raise the upper eyelid, constrict the pupil and keep the cornea moist, and carry sensation from the cornea, conjunctiva and the skin of the forehead and nose. Note that this representation is merged: the source provides no individually named nerve meshes.
Clinical notes
Injury to the orbital nerves usually presents as combined ophthalmoplegia: double vision, ptosis and a dilated pupil fixed to light, sometimes with loss of corneal sensation that lets the eye ulcerate painlessly. Classic causes include skull-base fractures, internal-carotid aneurysm within the cavernous sinus, diabetic neuropathy and masses eroding the orbital apex.
Related structures
Educational references
FAQ
What is the role of the Cranial nerves of the orbit?
A merged group of the fine nerve branches crossing the orbital cavity in the BodyParts3D model, uniting the branches of the cranial nerves and those leaving the ciliary ganglion for both sides into a single structure. Together these nerves move the six extraocular muscles and raise the upper eyelid, constrict the pupil and keep the cornea moist, and carry sensation from the cornea, conjunctiva and the skin of the forehead and nose. Note that this representation is merged: the source provides no individually named nerve meshes.
Why is the Cranial nerves of the orbit clinically important?
Injury to the orbital nerves usually presents as combined ophthalmoplegia: double vision, ptosis and a dilated pupil fixed to light, sometimes with loss of corneal sensation that lets the eye ulcerate painlessly. Classic causes include skull-base fractures, internal-carotid aneurysm within the cavernous sinus, diabetic neuropathy and masses eroding the orbital apex.
Source & license
BodyParts3D, © The Database Center for Life Science licensed under CC Attribution 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). license details