Trigeminal Nerve
Sensory innervation of C: mandibular branch of the trigeminal nerve (V3); also dorsal rami of the cervical spinal nerves supply the region behind it
What our notes say
- Sensory innervation of C: mandibular branch of the trigeminal nerve (V3); also dorsal rami of the cervical spinal nerves supply the region behind it (Aponeurosis — Anatomy Question Bank)
- Reactivation in ophthalmic branch of trigeminal nerve (V1) (EXAM: Basic Virology, Viral Replication, Prions & Slow Viruses, Poxviruses & VZV)
- Elsewhere: Trigeminal nerve, dorsal roots (sensory predilection), large nerve trunks (Pathology of Demyelinating Diseases: MS, NMO, ADEM, CPM)
- Ophthalmic zoster (trigeminal nerve involvement): keratitis, conjunctivitis, iritis — risk of blindness (Herpesviridae: HSV-1, HSV-2 Pathogenesis & Clinical Diseases)
- Trigeminal nerve involvement → keratitis, conjunctivitis, iritis (Herpesviruses: HSV-1, HSV-2, VZV, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Tx)
- Port wine stain in the trigeminal nerve distribution (V1/V2) (VASCULAR PATHOLOGY — Must-Know Comprehensive Notes)
Study material on Trigeminal Nerve
Images
Practice questions on Trigeminal Nerve
Regarding the trigeminal nerve
- Branches emerge from the parotid gland
- The mandibular nerve has three cutaneous branches
- The supratrochlear nerve supplies midline forehead and scalp
- The infratrochlear nerve is a branch of the maxillary nerve
- The bridge of the nose is supplied by the external nasal nerve
Answer: B. ** The mandibular nerve has three main cutaneous branches: auriculotemporal, buccal, and mental nerves. Supratrochlear and infratrochlear nerves are branches of the ophthalmic division (V1). ---
A port wine stain in the distribution of the trigeminal nerve is found in a child with seizures, intellectual disability, and skull "tram-track" calcifications. What underlying mutation causes this syndrome?
- Germline VHL mutation causing haemangioblastomas and AV malformations
- TSC1/TSC2 mutation causing tuberous sclerosis complex with cortical tubers
- NF1 mutation causing neurofibromas and café-au-lait macules
- Somatic GNAQ missense mutation in the Gα subunit causing constitutive signalling
Answer: D. Sturge-Weber syndrome (port wine stain + leptomeningeal angiomas + seizures + intellectual disability) is caused by a somatic GNAQ missense mutation occurring early in development — not inherited. ---