Frontal nerve

Last revised by Frank Gaillard on 21 Mar 2022

The frontal nerve is the largest and main branch of the ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve (V1).

Gross anatomy

The frontal nerve divides off the ophthalmic division superiorly just before entering the orbit through the superior orbital fissure outside and superolateral to the tendinous ring, where it lies between the lacrimal nerve and the superior ophthalmic vein. It then courses medially in the orbit outside the cone of muscles and between the periosteum of the orbital roof (which it supplies) and the levator palpebrae superioris muscle. It gives off a small branch to the frontal sinus before dividing into:

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