Trigeminal Nerve (Human Anatomy): Image, Functions, Diseases and Treatments

The trigeminal nerves are responsible for the face's ability to discern between different touch sensations and temperatures, as well as enabling chewing. These nerves may become irritated or compressed, which can result in the condition known as trigeminal neuralgia, which is characterised by severe facial pain. Dental work or other medical conditions may cause numbness, also known as trigeminal neuropathy.

The trigeminal nerve of the nervous system is in charge of carrying pain, touch, and temperature signals from your face to your brain. A large, three-part nerve in your head transmits sensation. A region of the mandibular nerve controls the motor function that aids in chewing and swallowing.

The fifth of the twelve cranial nerves is the trigeminal nerve, also referred to as cranial nerve V (the Roman numeral 5). There are two trigeminal nerves in your body, one on each side. They begin in your brain and spread throughout your body.

• The trigeminal nerves are like a tree that extends from your brain across your face, with roots and branches:
• The trigeminal nerves originate in your brain inside four nuclei, which are groupings of nerve cell bodies. Three of these nuclei are in charge of how your senses work.
• These three sensory nuclei combine to form a single sensory root near the pons, the biggest and most important region of your brainstem.
• At the base of the brainstem, this sensory root splits into two and develops into the trigeminal ganglion. The trigeminal ganglions are located in the temporal region of the head, on either side of the head, in front of the ear, and close to the temple.
• The trigeminal ganglion is a nerve centre formed when three segments of trigeminal nerve fuse together. To various parts of the face on either side of your head, these branches extend.

Despite the fact that the mandibular nerve branch comprises sensory and motor tasks, the trigeminal nerve is primarily in charge of sensation.

Even though the mandibular nerve branch includes sensory and motor functions, the trigeminal nerve is largely responsible for sensation

The trigeminal nerve is divided into three branches, each of which has a specific job to do:

• Ophthalmic: This particular branch is in charge of sending signals from the head and face to the brain.Ophthalmic is a term related to the eye. The eyes, top eyelids, and the forehead are all connected to the ophthalmic nerve.
• Maxilliary: It is the nerve branch that carries sensations to the centre of your face. The maxillary refers to the upper jaw. The maxillary nerves can be followed all the way to the cheekbones, nose, lower eyelids, upper lip, and gums of a person's mouth.
• Mandibular: Sensation in the jaws, lower lip, and gums are aided by the mandibular (lower jaw) branch. An additional motor role is provided by these nerves. It's impossible to bite, chew, and swallow without them.

• Trigeminal neuralgia: A form of neuralgia that is characterised by involvement of the trigeminal nerve. It begins as a tingling sensation or a shooting pain on one side of your face, most of the time.
• Herpes simplex virus (HSV): This virus causes fever blisters, cold sores, and other facial blisters. HSV is highly contagious and is transmitted through saliva and sperm.
• Stroke: A condition in which the blood supply to the brain is cut off. A stroke can cause a variety of neurologic issues, including vision and movement impairments.
• Facial injuries or injuries of the mouth: These injuries can occur anywhere on your face, and can cause pain, numbness, and sensitivity.
• Compression from swollen blood vessels: Blood pressure is high in people with migraine, because blood vessels in the brain and skull can enlarge. This can compress the trigeminal nerve.
• Demyelination syndrome: A condition in which the myelin sheath that covers nerves in your brain is damaged. This can cause pain and disability in parts of your body that are related to the trigeminal nerve.
• Multiple sclerosis: An autoimmune disorder wherein the immune system attacks the central nervous system. MS is the leading cause of severe disability in the United States, affecting over 2,3 million people.
• Migraine: A type of headache marked by throbbing pain on one side of the head, typically in the temples or behind the eyes.
• Herpes-Zoster: A type of herpes virus that can cause a painful rash on one side of the face. It's most commonly seen in people over age 50, and is often followed by a shingles (shingles rash) outbreak.
• Demyelination: the breakdown of the myelin sheath that protects the nerves in your brain As a result, the portions of your body affected by the trigeminal nerve may feel pain and incapacity.

Trigeminal neuralgia is caused by nerve damage and is a type of trigeminal neuropathy.One side of the face experiences severe facial discomfort as a result of the illness. A comparison to an electrical shock might be made. About 150,000 people develop trigeminal neuralgia each year. Another name for it is tic douloureux.

Among the origins of trigeminal neuralgia are:

• Primary trigeminal neuralgia develops when an artery or vein irritates the trigeminal nerve by wrapping around it.
• Secondary trigeminal neuralgia arises when the trigeminal nerve is compressed by a tumor, cyst, or facial injury.

One side of your face often becomes affected by trigeminal neuralgia. After the pain passes, some people start to experience facial tics. Healthcare professionals categorise several sorts of pain symptoms:

• Type 1 (TN1) Intense, shock-like facial soreness is a typical sign of type 1 diabetes (TN1). Your face might hurt. The soreness could linger for several minutes or barely a few seconds. These stabbing pains could come again and again through the day and night. The agony might get worse and linger longer with time. Frequently, activities like eating, chatting, or touching the face cause momentary discomfort.
• Type 2 (TN2) creates a persistent (chronic) burning or painful sensation You may also experience stabbing pain, although it will be less severe than in type 1.

• Pin or cotton swab test: To measure the sensitivity of the trigeminal nerve, your doctor will use a pin or cotton swab test. The test measures how much pressure you can withstand while having the tip of a thin, sharp object pressed against your cheek. A higher score means that your nerve is more sensitive.
• Voltage-Gated Stimulation: This test uses electrodes to stimulate the nerve. It's used to diagnose and monitor trigeminal neuralgia.
• Clenching test: This test measures how much pain you can tolerate when your fingers are clamped together and then slowly released. A higher score means that your nerve is more sensitive.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): MRI is a powerful imaging technique that can show detailed images of your brain and skull. Trigeminal neuralgia can be detected in people who have the disease even if they don't have any symptoms. MRI can also show whether there is any tumor or cyst near
• Severity rating: A five-point scale measuring the severity of the condition spans from 0 (no discomfort) to 4. (severe pain). The best course of treatment will depend on the kind and severity of your discomfort.
• Reflex tests: Reflex tests are used to check if you have any nerve damage. These tests measure how well you can close your eyes, open your mouth, and jerk your head.

• Balloon compression: Balloon compression is a type of treatment that uses a balloon to press on the trigeminal nerve. The balloon is slowly inflated, which relieves the pressure on the nerve.
• Cryotherapy: Cryotherapy uses freezing temperatures to reduce inflammation and pain. It's used in cases of TN1, TN2, and primary trigeminal neuralgia.
• Trigeminal Nerve Surgery: Surgery may be needed in cases of TN1 or TN2. It can treat the underlying cause of your pain or remove the offending tumor, cyst, or injury.
• Glycerol injection rhizotomy: Glycerol injection rhizotomy is a type of surgery that destroys the nerve root. It's used in cases of TN1 or TN2.
• Botulinum toxin injection: Botulinum toxin injections are used to treat TN1 and TN2. They block the release of nerve cells, which relieves pain.
• Radiofrequency thermal lesioning: Radiofrequency thermal lesioning is a type of surgery that uses heat to destroy the nerve. It's used in cases of TN1 or TN2.
• Microvascular decompression: Microvascular decompression is a type of surgery that uses a device to remove pressure from the blood vessels near the nerve. It's used in cases of TN1 or TN2.
• Stereotactic radiosurgery: Stereotactic radiosurgery is a type of radiation therapy that uses a machine to deliver radiation to specific areas of the brain. It's used in cases of TN1 or TN2.

• Steroids for reducing inflammation of Trigeminal nerve: To treat trigeminal nerve irritation, a variety of drugs are available. These include steroids like betamethasone, prednisone, prednisolone, triamcinolone, methylprednisolone, dexamethasone, etc. that are frequently prescribed in TN1 or TN2 cases.
• Analgesics for pain in Trigeminal nerve: In order to relieve pain in TN1 or TN2, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) are the most popular class of painkiller. Ibuprofen, naproxen, and rofecoxib are a few of these.
• Muscle relaxants for stiffness in Trigeminal nerve: Muscle relaxants are often prescribed in cases of TN1 or TN2. These include diazepam, baclofen, and methocarbamol.
• Antibiotics for infection in Trigeminal nerve: Antibiotics are often prescribed in cases of TN1 or TN2. These include amoxicillin, clindamycin, and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim.

Some changes in lifestyle can help keep the nervous system healthy: Being physically active most of the time, eating healthy food and drinking a lot of water to keep from getting dehydrated, finding healthy ways to deal with your stress (like gardening or meditation) are a few ways to protect your trigeminal nerves. In addition to this, you may also make changes to the way you sleep, take care of illnesses like diabetes and hypertension that might disrupt nerve conduction. In case you are struggling with addiction or wish to stop smoking, professional assistance is available.