lacrimal nerve

The lacrimal nerve is the smallest of the three main branches of the ophthalmic nerve (CN V1) (itself a branch of the trigeminal nerve (CN V)). It enters the orbit outside the common tendinous ring and passes forward along the side wall of the orbit. It provides sensory innervation to the skin and both surfaces of conjunctiva at the lateral portion of the upper eyelid. It also receives a parasympathetic secretomotor communicating branch for the lacrimal gland which it conveys to the gland.