Human nasociliary nerve with special reference to its unique parasympathetic cutaneous innervation.
10.5115/acb.2016.49.2.132
- Author:
Fumio HOSAKA
1
;
Masahito YAMAMOTO
;
Kwang Ho CHO
;
Hyung Suk JANG
;
Gen MURAKAMI
;
Shin ichi ABE
Author Information
1. Division of Ophthalmology, Iwamizawa Municipal Hospital, Iwamizawa, Japan.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Nasocialliary nerve;
Neuronal nitric oxide synthase;
Sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves;
Immunohistochemistry;
Human anatomy
- MeSH:
Cadaver;
Eyelids;
Forehead;
Humans*;
Immunohistochemistry;
Mandibular Nerve;
Nasal Mucosa;
Nerve Fibers;
Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I;
Skin;
Sweat Glands;
Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase;
Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide
- From:Anatomy & Cell Biology
2016;49(2):132-137
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
The frontal nerve is characterized by its great content of sympathetic nerve fibers in contrast to cutaneous branches of the maxillary and mandibular nerves. However, we needed to add information about composite fibers of cutaneous branches of the nasociliary nerve. Using cadaveric specimens from 20 donated cadavers (mean age, 85), we performed immunohistochemistry of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP). The nasocilliary nerve contained abundant nNOS-positive fibers in contrast to few TH- and VIP-positive fibers. The short ciliary nerves also contained nNOS-positive fibers, but TH-positive fibers were more numerous than nNOS-positive ones. Parasympathetic innervation to the sweat gland is well known, but the original nerve course seemed not to be demonstrated yet. The present study may be the first report on a skin nerve containing abundant nNOS-positive fibers. The unique parasympathetic contents in the nasocilliary nerve seemed to supply the forehead sweat glands as well as glands in the eyelid and nasal epithelium.
