Trigeminal neuralgia : presentation and assessment

Feature	Detail
Nerve Name	Trigeminal Nerve (Cranial Nerve V)
Divisions	• Ophthalmic (V1) • Maxillary (V2) • Mandibular (V3)
Sensory Functions	• V1: Cornea, ciliary body, lacrimal gland, conjunctiva, and parts of the nasal cavity. • V2: Maxillary teeth, nasal cavity, palate, nasopharynx, maxillary, and ethmoid sinuses. • V3: Mandibular teeth, anterior two-thirds of the tongue, mucosa of the cheek, and temporal region.
Motor Functions	Innervates muscles of mastication, mylohyoid, anterior belly of digastric, tensor tympani, and tensor veli palatini.
Nuclei	• Mesencephalic nucleus • Principal sensory nucleus • Spinal nucleus
Foramen	• V1: Superior orbital fissure • V2: Foramen rotundum • V3: Foramen ovale
Pathophysiology in Neuralgia	♦ Compression or irritation of nerve roots, typically at the entry zone into the pons, can cause trigeminal neuralgia. ♦ Vascular compression by the superior cerebellar artery is the most common cause.
Clinical Implications	- Sensory loss or tingling in the distribution of one or more branches can indicate nerve damage. - Hyperactivity of the nerve can lead to severe pain episodes characteristic of trigeminal neuralgia.

Introduction and epidemiology

Section	Content
Definition	Trigeminal Neuralgia is characterized by recurrent, unilateral, brief, intense electric...

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