Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Benjamin Cummings
Cranial NervesThe Trigeminal Nerves (V)
Primary function
Mixed (sensory and motor) to face
Origin
Ophthalmic branch (sensory):
orbital structures
nasal cavity
skin of forehead, upper eyelid, and eyebrow
part of nose
Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Benjamin Cummings
Cranial NervesThe Trigeminal Nerves (V)
Origin
Maxillary branch (sensory):
lower eyelid
upper lip, gums, and teeth
cheek and nose
palate and part of pharynx
Mandibular branch (sensory):
lower gums, teeth, and lips
palate and part of tongue
Mandibular branch (motor):
motor nuclei of pons
Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Benjamin Cummings
Cranial Nerves
The Trigeminal Nerves (V)Pathway
Ophthalmic branch:
superior orbital fissure
Maxillary branch:
foramen rotundum
Mandibular branch:
foramen ovale
Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Benjamin Cummings
Cranial NervesThe Trigeminal Nerves (V)
Destination
Sensory nerves:
sensory nuclei in pons
Motor nerves of mandibular branch:
muscles of mastication
Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Benjamin Cummings
Cranial Nerves
Trigeminal Nerve StructuresTrigeminal nerves
Largest cranial nerves
With three major branches
Semilunar ganglion
Contains cell bodies of sensory neurons