Corpus: Short ciliary nerves

The short ciliary nerves are 6-10 short, thin bundles of nerve fibers that arise from the ciliary ganglion. These nerves carry parasympathetic fibers from the oculomotor nerve, which synapse in the ganglion. They then enter the eye to innervate the inner eye muscles, specifically the sphincter pupillae and ciliary muscles.

The short ciliary nerves emerge in two main bundles from the inferior and superior edges of the ciliary ganglion, with the inferior bundle being somewhat stronger. They travel alongside the ciliary arteries above and below the optic nerve, moving rostrally in an undulating pattern. These nerves are accompanied by the long ciliary nerves, which are branches of the nasociliary nerve.

Upon reaching the posterior aspect of the eyeball, the short ciliary nerves penetrate the sclera and continue along its inner surface to innervate the ciliary muscle and iris.

Damage to the short ciliary nerves can result in the loss of the pupillary reflex and cause mydriasis (dilation of the pupil) on the affected side.