Which are the three main branches of CN V1?

Which are the three main branches of CN V1?

• A. Frontal, Lacrimal, Nasociliary
• B. Supraorbital, Supratrochlear, Infratrochlear
• C. Infraorbital, Zygomatic, Mental
• D. Nasopalatine, Long ciliary, Short ciliary

Answer: (A)

Three main branches of CN V1 are the Frontal nerve, the Lacrimal nerve, and the Nasociliary nerve. CN V1, the ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve, is purely sensory and travels through the orbit, giving rise to these three principal pathways. The Frontal nerve runs across the orbital roof and supplies sensation to the forehead and upper eyelid, with its terminal divisions into supratrochlear and supraorbital nerves. The Lacrimal nerve travels laterally to the eye, carrying sensory fibers from the conjunctiva and eyelids and providing input related to the lacrimal gland area. The Nasociliary nerve courses medially and supplies sensation to the eye and the surrounding nasal region, with branches including the anterior and posterior ethmoidal nerves, infratrochlear, and the long and short ciliary nerves. The other listed choices involve branches from the maxillary division (V2) or nerve components not forming the trio that defines CN V1, so they don’t fit as the main branches of the ophthalmic division.

Three main branches of CN V1 are the Frontal nerve, the Lacrimal nerve, and the Nasociliary nerve. CN V1, the ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve, is purely sensory and travels through the orbit, giving rise to these three principal pathways. The Frontal nerve runs across the orbital roof and supplies sensation to the forehead and upper eyelid, with its terminal divisions into supratrochlear and supraorbital nerves. The Lacrimal nerve travels laterally to the eye, carrying sensory fibers from the conjunctiva and eyelids and providing input related to the lacrimal gland area. The Nasociliary nerve courses medially and supplies sensation to the eye and the surrounding nasal region, with branches including the anterior and posterior ethmoidal nerves, infratrochlear, and the long and short ciliary nerves. The other listed choices involve branches from the maxillary division (V2) or nerve components not forming the trio that defines CN V1, so they don’t fit as the main branches of the ophthalmic division.