Illustrated Encyclopedia of Human Anatomic Variation: Opus III: Nervous System: Cranial Nerves and Ganglia

Zygomatic Nerve

Ronald A. Bergman, PhD
Adel K. Afifi, MD, MS
Ryosuke Miyauchi, MD
Peer Review Status: Internally Peer Reviewed

The following variations have been reported in this nerve or its two branches (the temporal or facial or malar). The nerve may pass through the zygomatic bone before it divides into two branches, or the two branches may pass separately through foramina in the zygomatic bone instead of passing through a common foramen (sphenozygomatic foramen). The temporal branch in some cases passes through the sphenomaxillary fissure into the temporal fossa. Either branch of the zygomatic may be absent or smaller than normal, in which case the other branch compensates by carrying the additional nerve fibers. The area usually supplied by the zygomatic branch (skin of the zygomatic region) may be supplied instead by the infraorbital nerve. The area usually supplied by the temporal branch (skin of the anterior temporal region) may be supplied solely or additionally by the lacrimal nerve.

Image 20

References

Cushing, H. (1904) The sensory distribution of the fifth cranial nerve. Johns Hopkins Hospital Bulletin 15:213-232

Huber, G.C., Ed. (1930) Piersol's Human Anatomy, 9th ed., L.B. Lippincott Co., Philadelphia.

Schaefer, E.A., Symington, J. and T.H. Bryce., Eds. (1915) Quain's Anatomy, 11th ed., Longmans, Green, and Co. London.

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