A 45-year-old woman presents with loss of corneal reflex on the right side. Which nerve carries the afferent limb of this reflex?

• A Ophthalmic division of trigeminal (V1) ✓
• B Facial nerve (CN VII)
• C Maxillary division of trigeminal (V2)
• D Oculomotor nerve (CN III)

Explanation

The corneal reflex has an afferent limb carried by the ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve (V1) from the cornea to the brainstem, and an efferent limb by the facial nerve (CN VII) to the orbicularis oculi. The maxillary division (V2) supplies the cheek and upper lip, not the cornea. The oculomotor nerve controls pupillary constriction and eye movements, not the blink reflex.

Reference: Gray's Anatomy, 42nd ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.