From the Guidelines
The sensory innervation of the right eyebrow, upper eyelid, and infraorbital skin is primarily supplied by branches of the trigeminal nerve (cranial nerve V), with the ophthalmic division (V1) providing sensory innervation to the eyebrow and upper eyelid, and the maxillary division (V2) providing sensory innervation to the infraorbital skin. The trigeminal nerve is the largest cranial nerve and has three major divisions, including the ophthalmic (V1), maxillary (V2), and mandibular (V3) branches, which together provide sensory innervation to most of the face 1. The ophthalmic division (V1) provides sensory innervation to the eyebrow and upper eyelid through its supraorbital and supratrochlear branches, while the maxillary division (V2) provides sensory innervation to the infraorbital skin primarily via the infraorbital nerve.
Some key points to consider include:
- The trigeminal nerve is divided into three main divisions, known as the ophthalmic (V1), maxillary (V2), and mandibular (V3) branches 1
- The ophthalmic division (V1) provides sensory innervation to the eyebrow and upper eyelid through its supraorbital and supratrochlear branches
- The maxillary division (V2) provides sensory innervation to the infraorbital skin primarily via the infraorbital nerve
- Understanding this innervation pattern is clinically important when performing procedures such as nerve blocks for local anesthesia, evaluating facial pain syndromes, or assessing neurological deficits following trauma or stroke affecting these regions 2.
It's worth noting that while other studies may provide additional information on the topic, the most recent and highest quality study 1 provides the most relevant and up-to-date information on the sensory innervation of the right eyebrow, upper eyelid, and infraorbital skin.
From the Research
Sensory Innervation of the Right Eyebrow, Upper Eyelid, and Infraorbital Skin
- The ophthalmic division (V1) of the trigeminal nerve is responsible for the sensory innervation of the eyebrow, eyelids, forehead, and nose 3.
- The sensory territory of the trigeminal nerve on the upper eyelid is supplied by the frontal nerve (FN), supraorbital nerve (SON), supratrochlear nerve (STN), infratrochlear nerve (ITN), and lacrimal nerve (LN) 4.
- The upper eyelid is mainly supplied by the SON and FN, with the medial extremity supplied by the STN and ITN, and the lateral extremity supplied by the LN 4.
- The infraorbital skin is innervated by the maxillary division (V2) of the trigeminal nerve, which gives sensory innervation to the skin of the midfacial regions, including the side of the nose and upper lip 5.
- The exact course and distribution of sensory nerve fibers in the upper eyelid have been studied, with findings indicating that the infratrochlear, supratrochlear, supraorbital, and lacrimal nerve contribute to both the upper eyelid skin innervation and the upper eyelid rim plexus in different distribution patterns 6.
- Facial skin biopsy has been used to study the cutaneous innervation of the human face, with results showing that facial skin is abundantly innervated and rich in annexes, and that the density of epidermal nerve fibers (ENFs) and dermal myelinated fibers (MFs) varies across different regions of the face 7.