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| Long ciliary nerves | |
|---|---|
Nerves of the orbit, and the ciliary ganglion. Side view. | |
| Details | |
| From | Nasociliary nerve |
| Innervates | Cornea, iris, and ciliary body |
| Fiber type | "Somatosensory" (via V1 Lacrimal), and "Sympathetic" (via V2 Zygomatic) |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | nervi ciliares longi |
| Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy | |
The long ciliary nerves are two-three sensory nerves that arise from the nasociliary nerve (itself a branch of the ophthalmic branch (CN V1) of the trigeminal nerve (CN V)).[1] They pass forward within the orbit, passing toward the eyeball alongside the optic nerve (CN II).[2] They enter the eyeball to provide sensory innervation to the cornea, iris, and ciliary body.[3] They also provide sympathetic visceral motor innervation to the dilator pupillae muscle, which is responsible for dilation of the pupil.[4] The long ciliary nerves are clinically relevant in conditions affecting corneal sensitivity, pupillary responses, and surgical procedures involving the eye.[5]
The long ciliary nerves branch from the nasociliary nerve as it crosses the optic nerve (CN II).[1]
Accompanied by the short ciliary nerves, the long ciliary nerves pierce and enter[1] the posterior part of the sclera near where it is entered by the optic nerve, then run anterior-ward between the sclera and the choroid.[1]
The long ciliary nerves are distributed to the ciliary body, iris, and cornea.[1]
The long ciliary nerves provide sensory innervation to the eyeball, including the cornea.[6]
This article incorporates text in the public domain from the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)