Nerves of orbit (Superior view) (English)

The optic nerve (CN II) is purely sensory and transmits visual impulses from the eyeball to the brain. The trochlear nerve (CN IV) and abducens nerve (CN VI) enter the orbit through the superior orbital fissure to supply the extraocular muscles of the eye. The ciliary ganglion is one of the four parasympathetic ganglia of the head and receives preganglionic parasympathetic fibers from the Edinger-Westphal nucleus via the oculomotor nerve (CN III). It supplies structures of the eye (ciliary and sphincter pupillae muscles) via the short ciliary nerves with parasympathetic, sensory and sympathetic fibers, which also pass through the ganglion.