Final answer:
The sensory nerve supplying the superior palpebral and fornix conjuntiva is the ophthalmic branch of the trigeminal nerve (V1), which traverses the superior orbital fissure. This nerve carries sensory information from various parts of the face, including areas around the eye, and plays a critical role in the corneal reflex.
Step-by-step explanation:
The sensory nerve that supplies the superior palpebral and fornix conjunctiva is the ophthalmic branch of the trigeminal nerve (V1). This branch, along with other nerves and vessels, passes through the superior orbital fissure.
The trigeminal nerve, also known as the fifth cranial nerve, is responsible for sensation in the face and motor functions such as biting and chewing. Its ophthalmic branch carries sensory information from the cornea, ciliary body, and part of the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity, as well as the skin of the eyelids, eyebrow, forehead, and nose. The importance of this nerve is highlighted in reflexes such as the corneal reflex, as well as in the coordination of eye movements involving the cranial nerves connected to the extraocular muscles.