Which three main branches does the ophthalmic division divide into before passing through the superior orbital fissure?

Which three main branches does the ophthalmic division divide into before passing through the superior orbital fissure?

• A. Nasociliary, Frontal, Lacrimal
• B. Zygomatic, Lacrimal, Infraorbital
• C. Supraorbital, Supratrochlear, Infratrochlear
• D. Optic, Oculomotor, Trochlear

Answer: (A)

Ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve is a purely sensory path that divides into three main trunks as it enters the orbit. These three branches are the nasociliary, frontal, and lacrimal nerves. The nasociliary nerve travels along the medial orbit and supplies the eyeball area, including the cornea, as well as parts of the nose. The frontal nerve runs along the roof of the orbit and then splits into the supraorbital and supratrochlear nerves to innervate the forehead and scalp. The lacrimal nerve travels laterally to the eye, providing sensation to the lacrimal gland and the lateral upper eyelid, with parasympathetic fibers reaching the lacrimal gland via hitchhiking routes. Other options mix in branches from other divisions (like the infraorbital nerve from the maxillary division) or refer to nerves that are not branches of V1 (such as optic or oculomotor nerves), which is why they don’t fit as the three main branches of the ophthalmic division.

Ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve is a purely sensory path that divides into three main trunks as it enters the orbit. These three branches are the nasociliary, frontal, and lacrimal nerves. The nasociliary nerve travels along the medial orbit and supplies the eyeball area, including the cornea, as well as parts of the nose. The frontal nerve runs along the roof of the orbit and then splits into the supraorbital and supratrochlear nerves to innervate the forehead and scalp. The lacrimal nerve travels laterally to the eye, providing sensation to the lacrimal gland and the lateral upper eyelid, with parasympathetic fibers reaching the lacrimal gland via hitchhiking routes.

Other options mix in branches from other divisions (like the infraorbital nerve from the maxillary division) or refer to nerves that are not branches of V1 (such as optic or oculomotor nerves), which is why they don’t fit as the three main branches of the ophthalmic division.