Long root of the ciliary ganglion

The long root of the ciliary ganglion usually arises from the nasociliary between the two heads of the lateral rectus muscle. It is also called the nasociliary nerve's communicating branch to the ciliary ganglion.

It passes forward on the lateral side of the optic nerve, and enters the posterosuperior angle of the ciliary ganglion; it is sometimes joined by a filament from the cavernous plexus of the sympathetic, or from the superior ramus of the trochlear nerve.