Trigeminal nerve

Diagram of the trigeminal nerve

Inferior view of the human brain

Anatomy of the trigeminal nerve

Innervation areas of the trigeminal nerve

Sensory pathways of the trigeminal nerve

The trigeminal nerve is the fifth cranial nerve (CN V) and is responsible for sensation in the face and motor functions such as biting and chewing. It is the largest of the cranial nerves and has both sensory and motor components.

Anatomy

The trigeminal nerve originates from the brainstem, specifically from the pons. It has three major branches:

• The Ophthalmic nerve (V1) is purely sensory and supplies the forehead, scalp, and upper eyelids.
• The Maxillary nerve (V2) is also sensory and supplies the lower eyelids, cheeks, nostrils, upper lip, and upper gum.
• The Mandibular nerve (V3) has both sensory and motor functions. It supplies the lower lip, lower gum, chin, and also controls the muscles of mastication.

Function

The trigeminal nerve is primarily responsible for transmitting sensory information from the face to the brain. It also controls the muscles involved in chewing. The sensory functions include touch, pain, and temperature sensations from the face.

Clinical Significance

Disorders of the trigeminal nerve can lead to conditions such as trigeminal neuralgia, which is characterized by severe facial pain. Other conditions include loss of sensation or motor function in the areas supplied by the nerve.

Related Structures

The trigeminal ganglion is a collection of nerve cell bodies of the trigeminal nerve located in the skull. It is the site where the sensory branches of the trigeminal nerve converge.

Gallery

• 

  Touch and pain pathways

• 

  Trigeminal nerve anatomy

• 

  Onion skin distribution of trigeminal nerve

• 

  Sensory homunculus

• 

  Trigeminal nerve branches

• 

  Trigeminal nerve sensory distribution

• 

  Trigeminal nerve motor distribution

• 

  Trigeminal nerve in the brain

• 

  Trigeminal nerve pathways

• 

  Trigeminal ganglion

• 

  Trigeminal nerve in cross-section

Related Pages

• Cranial nerves
• Trigeminal neuralgia
• Facial nerve

References

• Standring, S. (2016). Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice. 41st Edition. Elsevier.
• "Trigeminal Nerve." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trigeminal_nerve