Supratrochlear nerve

The supratrochlear nerve is a branch of the frontal nerve, itself a branch of the ophthalmic nerve. It provides sensory innervation to the skin of the forehead and upper eyelid.

Not to be confused with infratrochlear nerve.
Supratrochlear nerve
Sensory areas of the head, showing the general distribution of the three divisions of the fifth nerve. (Supratrochlear nerve labeled at upper left.)
Nerves of the orbit. Seen from above. (Supratrochlear nerve visible near top.)
Details
FromFrontal nerve
Identifiers
Latinnervus supratrochlearis
TAA14.2.01.024
FMA52642
Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy

Structure

The supratrochlear nerve branches from the frontal nerve midway between the base and apex of the orbit. It travels anteriorly above the levator palpebrae superioris and exits the orbit through the supratrochlear notch in the superomedial margin of the orbit. It then ascends onto the forehead beneath the corrugator supercilii and frontalis muscles. It then divides into sensory branches.

Function

The supratrochlear nerve provides sensory innervation to the skin of the lateral forehead, upper eyelid and the conjunctiva.

Etymology

The supratrochlear nerve is named for its passage above the trochlea of the superior oblique muscle.

Additional images
  • Supratrochlear nerve
  • Extrinsic eye muscle. Nerves of orbita. Deep dissection.
  • Extrinsic eye muscle. Nerves of orbita. Deep dissection.
  • Extrinsic eye muscle. Nerves of orbita. Deep dissection.
  • Extrinsic eye muscle. Nerves of orbita. Deep dissection.
  • Extrinsic eye muscle. Nerves of orbita. Deep dissection.

References

This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 888 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)


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