Cranial Nerves – CNV (Trigeminal Nerve) – Ophthalmic Branch
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CN V (Trigeminal Nerve)
 The trigeminal nerve has three major branches which can be evaluated separately.

Ophthalmic Branch

• Function
  Provides sensory innervation to the eyeball structures, nasal mucosa, and cutaneous areas around the eye, the dorsum of the nose and the frontal area.
• Assessment
Test sensation with the touch of a hemostat (the fine tip provides better localization).
 

Facial Sensation

Palpebral Reflex
Touching the medial canthus evaluates the ophthamic branch of the trigeminal nerve (CN V). The facial nerve (CN VII) is required for the eye to blink.

Corneal Reflex
Touching the cornea gently with either a moistened Q-tip or a cotton ball normally results in the retraction of the globe and an eye blink. Therefore, this test requires that the abducent nerve (CN VI) and the facial nerve (CN VII) be intact.

• go to CN V – Mandibular Branch