Long ciliary nerve

The **long ciliary nerves** are peripheral nerves that arise as 2–3 branches from the nasociliary nerve, itself a branch of the ophthalmic division (V1) of the trigeminal nerve. They run along the medial aspect of the optic nerve and enter the posterior part of the sclera near where it is entered by the optic nerve. These nerves provide general sensory innervation to structures within the eyeball—specifically, they supply sensation to most of the globe except for the conjunctiva, including key areas such as cornea, iris, and ciliary body[1][2][3][4][9]. In addition to sensory fibers originating from neurons in the trigeminal ganglion, they also carry postganglionic sympathetic fibers from the superior cervical ganglion that innervate and control dilation via action on dilator pupillae muscle[1][2][3][4]. Unlike short ciliary nerves—which pass through and receive parasympathetic fibers at the ciliary ganglion—the long ciliary nerves bypass this structure entirely and do not contain parasympathetic fibers[9]. The term "myelinated long ciliary nerves" is anatomically descriptive but does not refer to a specific molecular or pharmacological therapeutic target such as an enzyme or receptor. **Note:** This entry is marked as incorrect for use as a therapeutic target because "myelinated long ciliary nerves" refers to an anatomical structure rather than a discrete molecule or receptor amenable to direct pharmacological targeting. There are no known drugs that specifically interact with these peripheral sensory/autonomic axons themselves; instead, drugs may act on their neurotransmitters or receptors at synaptic junctions elsewhere in their pathway.

Other names

Long ciliary nervesNervi ciliares longi