Corpus: Supraorbital nerve

The supraorbital nerve is the larger of the two terminal branches of the frontal nerve, which is itself a branch of the ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve (cranial nerve V). This nerve provides sensory innervation to the forehead, scalp, upper eyelid, and frontal sinus.

The supraorbital nerve branches off from the frontal nerve approximately halfway between the apex and the edge of the orbit. It then passes through the supraorbital foramen and provides sensory innervation to the conjunctiva of the upper eyelid and the mucous membrane of the frontal sinus.

The nerve continues superiorly along the forehead and divides into lateral and medial branches. Both branches supply the skin of the forehead, extending up to the vertex, and are adjacent to the innervation area of the greater occipital nerve. Initially, these branches run beneath the frontalis muscle. As they progress, the medial branch passes through the frontalis muscle, while the lateral branch runs under the galea aponeurotica.

The supraorbital nerve is often assessed during the examination of the three main exit points of the terminal branches of the trigeminal nerve, particularly in the area of the eyebrow. Tenderness or pain upon palpation at these trigeminal pressure points can indicate pathological changes along the course of the trigeminal nerve, such as trigeminal neuralgia or other nerve-related conditions.