Posterior ethmoidal nerve explained

Posterior ethmoidal nerve
Latin:	nervus ethmoidalis posterior
Innervates:	Sphenoidal sinus, ethmoidal sinus
Branchfrom:	Nasociliary nerve

The posterior ethmoidal nerve is a nerve of the head. It is a branch of the nasociliary nerve (itself a branch of the ophthalmic nerve (CN V₁)). It provides sensory innervation to the sphenoid sinus and ethmoid sinus, and part of the dura mater in the anterior cranial fossa.

Structure

Origin

The posterior ethmoidal nerve is a branch of the nasociliary nerve.^[1]

Course

It passes through the posterior ethmoidal foramen alongside the posterior ethmoidal artery.^[2]

Branches

Within the anterior cranial fossa, it issues a branch to which innervates part of the dura mater.^{[3] [4]}

It gives branches to the sphenoid sinus and the ethmoid sinus.

Variation

The posterior ethmoidal nerve is absent in a significant proportion of people.^[5] This may be around 30%.

Function

The posterior ethmoidal nerve supplies sensation to the sphenoid sinus and the ethmoid sinus. It also supplies sensation to part of the dura mater in the anterior cranial fossa.

Other animals

The posterior ethmoidal nerve is present in other animals, including horses.^{[6] [7]} Headshaking can sometimes be treated with analgesia or neurectomy of the posterior ethmoidal nerve.

References

1. Book: Barral. Jean-Pierre. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780702031007500185. Manual Therapy for the Cranial Nerves. Croibier. Alain. Churchill Livingstone. 2009. 978-0-7020-3100-7. 115–128. en. 15 - Ophthalmic nerve. 10.1016/B978-0-7020-3100-7.50018-5.
2. Book: Semmer. A. E.. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780123742032002840. Encyclopedia of the Eye. McLoon. L. K.. Lee. M. S.. Academic Press. 2010. 978-0-12-374203-2. 241–251. en. Orbital Vascular Anatomy. 10.1016/B978-0-12-374203-2.00284-0.
3. Book: Shimizu . Toshihiko . Handbook of Clinical Neurology . Suzuki . Norihiro . . 2010 . 978-0-444-52139-2 . 97 . 35–45 . en . 3 - Biological sciences related to headache . 10.1016/S0072-9752(10)97003-6 . 0072-9752 . 20816409 . https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0072975210970036.
4. Book: Seker . Askin . Meningiomas . Martins . Carolina . Rhoton Jr. . Albert L. . . 2010 . 978-1-4160-5654-6 . 11–51 . en . 2 - Meningeal Anatomy . 10.1016/B978-1-4160-5654-6.00002-7 . https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9781416056546000027.
5. Book: Rea, Paul. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780128036334000028. Essential Clinically Applied Anatomy of the Peripheral Nervous System in the Head and Neck. Academic Press. 2016. 978-0-12-803633-4. 21–130. en. 2 - Head. 10.1016/B978-0-12-803633-4.00002-8.
6. Book: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780723436607000110. Knottenbelt and Pascoe's Color Atlas of Diseases and Disorders of the Horse. Saunders. 2014. 978-0-7234-3660-7. 2nd. 400–442. en. 11 - Disorders of the nervous system. 10.1016/B978-0-7234-3660-7.00011-0.
7. Book: Carr. Elizabeth A.. Equine Sports Medicine and Surgery. Maher. Omar. Saunders. 2014. 978-0-7020-4771-8. 2nd. 503–526. en. 10.1016/B978-0-7020-4771-8.00024-7.

External links

• http://www.dartmouth.edu/~humananatomy/figures/chapter_45/45-6.HTM