Nerve supplying the forehead, frontal sinus, and upper eyelid
The frontal nerve is the largest branch of the ophthalmic nerve (V1 ), itself a branch of the trigeminal nerve (CN V). It supplies sensation to the skin of the forehead , the mucosa of the frontal sinus , and the skin of the upper eyelid . It may be affected by schwannoma .
Structure
The frontal nerve is a branch of the ophthalmic nerve (V1 ), itself a branch of the trigeminal nerve (CN V).[ 1] The frontal nerve branches immediately before entering the superior orbital fissure . In then travels superolateral to the annulus of Zinn between the lacrimal nerve and inferior ophthalmic vein . After entering the orbit it travels anteriorly between the roof periosteum and the levator palpebrae superioris . Midway between the apex and base of the orbit it divides into two branches, the supratrochlear nerve and supraorbital nerve .
Functions
The two branches of the frontal nerve provide sensory innervation to the skin of the forehead , mucosa of the frontal sinus (an air sinus), and the skin of the upper eyelid .
Clinical significance
The frontal nerve may rarely be affected by schwannoma , a benign nerve tumor affecting its myelin sheath .[ 2] [ 3] This may be between the superior orbital fissure and the supraorbital foramen or supraorbital notch .[ 2] It may cause damage to the adjacent orbital part of the frontal bone .[ 2] A CT scan or magnetic resonance imaging may be used to identify the extent of the cancer.[ 2] [ 3] A biopsy may be taken to confirm a diagnosis.[ 3] Surgery may be used to remove the schwannoma.[ 3]
Additional images
Nerves of the orbit. The frontal nerve is visible branching from the ophthalmic nerve.
Superior view of a dissection of the orbit. The frontal nerve is visible branching into the supratrochlear and supraorbital nerves.
Superior view of a dissection of the orbit. An instrument is inserted between the frontal nerve and the levator palpebrae superioris.
References
^ Gray's anatomy : the anatomical basis of clinical practice . Standring, Susan (41 ed.). [Philadelphia]. 2016. ISBN 978-0-7020-5230-9 . OCLC 920806541 .{{cite book }}
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^ a b c d Young, Stephanie Ming; Kim, Yoon-Duck; Jeon, Gang Seok; Woo, Kyung In (2018-02-01). "Orbital Frontal Nerve Schwannoma—Distinctive Radiological Features" . American Journal of Ophthalmology . 186 : 41–46. doi :10.1016/j.ajo.2017.11.012 . ISSN 0002-9394 . PMID 29197538 .
^ a b c d Hayashi, Yasuhiko; Watanabe, Takuya; Kita, Daisuke; Hayashi, Yutaka; Takahira, Masayuki; Hamada, Jun-ichiro (2012-12-23). "Orbital Cystic Schwannoma Originating from the Frontal Nerve" . Case Reports in Ophthalmological Medicine . 2012 : e604574. doi :10.1155/2012/604574 . ISSN 2090-6722 . PMC 3540697 . PMID 23320224 .