The Trigeminal Nerve - Ophthalmic branch

Question 1

Describe the pathway of the ophthalmic Nerve.

Answer 1

Trigeminal ganglion

Superoir orbital fissure

Orbit

Question 2

At what stage in the pathway does the ophthalmic nerve start to branch?

Answer 2

Once it enters the orbit

Question 3

List the functions of the opthalmic branch.

Answer 3

SENSORY FUNCTION

upper eye lid
cornea - eyeball
Forehead
Scalp 
tip of the nose

Question 4

What nerve gives motor function to the eyeball?

Answer 4

The oculomotor nerve - NOT THE TRIGEMINAL

Question 5

The ophthalmic branch of the trigeminal nerve is responsible for the corneal blink reflex; describe the process. What other nerve is involved?

Answer 5

Stimulus

Sensory information is relayed back to the trigemnial sensory nucleus

A synapse occurs in the facial motor nucleus

Facial motor nucleus activates the facial nerve

Facial nerve causes constriction of the oblicularis oculi muscles.

Question 6

List the branches of the ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve.

Answer 6

Frontal
Supraorbital
Supratrochlear

Lacrimal

Nasociliary 
Anterior ethmoidal
Posterior ethmoidal
Long ciliary 
Infratrochlear

Question 7

What is the danger associated with a crusting shingles rash at the tip of the nose?

Answer 7

Rash at the tip of the nose is a warning sign that the shingles may progress to the cornea. If left untreated the patient could go blind.

Question 8

What branch/branches of the trigeminal nerve does shingles affect?

Answer 8

Can affect all 3 branches (ophthalmic, maxillary and mandibular)