Supriya Ghosh (Editor)

Trigeminal nerve nuclei

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit
Latin
  
nuclei trigemini

NeuroNames
  
ancil-1008020136

Dorlands /Elsevier
  
n_11/12583834

MeSH
  
A08.186.211.132.931

NeuroLex ID
  
Trigeminal nucleus

Trigeminal nerve nuclei

The sensory trigeminal nerve nuclei are the largest of the cranial nerve nuclei, and extend through the whole of the midbrain, pons and medulla, and into the high cervical spinal cord.

The nucleus is divided into three parts, from rostral to caudal (top to bottom in humans):

  • The mesencephalic nucleus
  • The chief sensory nucleus (or "pontine nucleus" or "main sensory nucleus" or "primary nucleus" or "principal nucleus")
  • The spinal trigeminal nucleus
  • Pars Oralis (from the Pons to the Hypoglossal nucleus)
  • Pars Interpolaris (from the Hypoglossal nucleus to the obex)
  • Pars Caudalis (from the obex to C2)

    • There is also a distinct trigeminal motor nucleus that is medial to the chief sensory nucleus.

    References

    Trigeminal nerve nuclei Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA