Zygomaticofacial nerve

The zygomaticofacial nerve (or zygomaticofacial branch of zygomatic nerve or malar branch of zygomatic nerve^{[citation needed]}) is a cutaneous (sensory) branch of the maxillary nerve (CN V₂) that arises within the orbit.^[1] The zygomaticofacial nerve penetrates^{[dubious – discuss]} the inferolateral angle of the orbit, emerging into the face through^[2]: 631 the zygomaticofacial foramen,^[2]: 615 then penetrates the orbicularis oculi muscle to reach^[2]: 631 and innervate the skin of the prominence of the cheek.^{[2]: 631 [3]}

Zygomaticofacial nerve
Distribution of the maxillary and mandibular nerves, and the submaxillary ganglion (zygomaticofacial not labeled, but region visible)
Mandibular division of the trifacial nerve (zygomaticofacial labeled at center right)
Details
From	Zygomatic nerve
Innervates	Prominence of the cheek
Identifiers
Latin	ramus zygomaticofacialis nervi zygomatici
TA98	A14.2.01.058
TA2	6234
FMA	52973
Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy [edit on Wikidata]

Anatomy

Communications

The zygomaticofacial nerve forms a nerve plexus with the zygomatic branches of facial nerve (CN VII), and the inferior palpebral branches of maxillary nerve (V₂).^[2]: 631

Variation

The nerve may sometimes be absent.^[2]: 631