17 - Cranial Nerves III Flashcards
CN V
Trigeminal nerve
CN V function
The trigeminal nerve provides:
- sensory innervation to the face and underlying mucous membranes
- motor innervation to the muscles of mastication
Describe the general sensation component of CN V
GSA:
General sensation from the scalp, cranial dura, major intracranial blood
vessels, face, cornea, conjuctiva, lacrimal gland, mucous membrane of the: paranasal sinuses, nasal cavity, and oral cavity; teeth, gums, and hard palate
Describe the general proprioception component of CN V
GP:
General proprioception
extraocular muscles, TMJ, muscles of mastication, and periodontal ligament (PDL) surrounding roots of teeth.
Proprioceptive sense helps us so that we can chew better and not bite our tongue when we are eating or when we are speaking
Describe the skeletal motor component of CN V
SVE:
Skeletal motor (BranchioMOTOR) to the muscles of mastication and a few other muscles (the trigeminal nerve is the nerve of the 1st branchial / pharyngeal arch). The muscles of mastication include the temporalis, masseter, and the medial and lateral pterygoids), also innervates the mylohyoid, anterior belly of the digastric, tensor tympani, and tensor veli palatini
Describe the funciton of the tensor tympani
The tensor tympani attaches to the malleus and the malleus attaches to the inner surface of the tympanic membrane. When the TT contracts,
it tenses the tympanic membrane (becomes stiffer), preventing it from vibrating, therefore does not move the malleus.
This tiny muscle protects the eardrum from loud sounds and diminishes the transmission of sound vibrations from the eardrum to the inner ear (via the 3 ossicles: malleus – incus, stapes).
When chewing is initiated (by motor fibers of V), TT contracts.
What is UNIQUE about CN V?
in addition to carrying its own fibers, the trigeminal nerve is the only cranial nerve that carries parasympathetic “hitch-hickers” of other cranial nerves and sympathetic fibers from the internal carotic plexus, in its own branches.
Which three nerves does it carry parasympathetics for?
Oculomotor
Facial
Glosopharyngeal
Parasympathetic “hitch-hikers” of the oculomotor nerve
oculomotor nerve: parasympathetic fibers leave the ciliary ganglion via the ophthalmic division (V1) to terminate in the sphincter pupillae and ciliary muscles
Parasympathetic “hitch-hikers” of the facial
There are TWO sets of fibers
1 - facial nerve: parasympathetic fibers leave the pterygopalatine ganglion via the maxillary division (V2) to terminate in the lacrimal, nasal and palatine glands
2 - facial nerve: parasympathetic fibers leave the submandibular ganglion via the mandibular division (V3) to terminate in the sublingual and submandibular glands
Parasympathetic “hitch-hikers” of the glossopharyngeal nerve
glossopharyngeal nerve:
parasympathetic fibers leave the otic ganglion via the mandibular division (V3) to terminate in the parotid gland
What other “hitch-hikers” does CN V carry?
Sympathetic “hitch-hikers” from the internal carotid plexus are carried by the ophthalmic division (V1) to the dilator pupillae muscle
Three divisions of CN V
1 - ophthalmic division (sensory)
2 - maxillary division (sensory)
3 - mandibular division (mixed: sensory and motor)
Three sensory nuclei of CN V
1 - Mesencephalic nucleus
2 - Principal (main, chief) sensory nucleus
3 - Spinal nucleus
Mesencephalic sensory nucleus of CN V
mesencephalic nucleus of the trigeminal
Location: in midbrain
Function: general proprioception from muscles innervated by the trigeminal nerve, and the periodontal ligament (PDL).
The muscles of mastication, and PDL contain nerve receptors that convey information to the brain about the position of the jaw
Principal (main, cheif) sensory nucleus of CN V
principal (main, chief) sensory nucleus of the trigeminal
Location: in midpons
Function: discriminatory (fine, detailed) touch and pressure sensation from orofacial structures, GP from extraocular muscles and TMJ.
Sensory input is relayed to the principal nucleus by the central processes of sensory neurons located in the V ganglion
What do the mesencephalic and principal nuclei have in common?
The above 2 nuclei are similar to / are the head counterpart of the dorsal column nuclei (“nucleus gracilis” and “nucleus cuneatus”)