Quick Facts
Origin: Superior division of the facial nerve.
Course: Runs anteriorly and slightly superiorly, through the parotid gland to the region of the lateral orbit.
Branches: None.
Supply: Motor innervation to the muscles of facial expression located in the middle portion of the face.
Related parts of the anatomy
Origin
The zygomatic branches of the facial nerve originate when the superior division of the facial nerve splits. This occurs in the substance of the parotid gland.
Course
From its origin, the zygomatic branches of the facial nerve run anteriorly and slightly superiorly out of the parotid gland. They continue forward, towards the lateral orbit.
Branches
There are no named branches, however, the zygomatic branches of the facial nerve can form anastomoses with buccal branch fibers as well as fibers from the zygomaticofacial and lacrimal nerves.
Supplied Structures
The zygomatic branches of the facial nerve are motor nerves that innervate muscles of facial expression in and around the orbit. It sends branchial motor efferents.
The muscles innervated by the zygomatic branches are the procerus, orbicularis oculi, levator labii superioris, and levator labii superioris alaeque nasi muscles.
