The trigeminal nerve (or fifth cranial nerve) is the fifth of the cranial nerves which spring from the brain. The roots of the nerve pass into an enlargement, the Gasserian ganglion, from which three main branches of the nerve are given off:
The first two divisions of the trigeminal nerve are purely sensory; the third is partially sensory and partially motor.
Tic douloureux or neuralgia of the trigeminal nerve is a very severe form of neuralgia, possibly due to an affection of the Gasserian ganglion. The condition generally begins after middle life, with sudden paroxysms of violent pain which may last for a few seconds to a minute. The muscles of the face become quite contracted and the pain is intense. The paroxysms may follow each other for a few hours, and then remission may occur for days or even months. Gradually, however, the periods of remission become shorter, and the patient may never be entirely free from pain. Research Trigeminal Nerve
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Matt and Leela Probert
Abbreviations
Medicine
Research Trigeminal Nerve
