Other points on nerves

Question 1

Trigeminal neuralgia

Answer 1

condition affecting the sensory nerves of either maxillary or mandibular divisions only of the trigeminal nerve, with no known cause. the sufferer experiences sudden-onset severe pain in various facial trigger zones, accompanied by muscle spasms in the area

Question 2

The neuralgia

Answer 2

can be initiated by touch, chewing movements or even speaking + is usually of short duration. treatment is difficult without known cause + often surgical or chemical destruction of the sensory section of the nerve is undertaken to relieve symptoms

Question 3

Facial nerve

Answer 3

a combination nerve, carrying both sensory + motor fibres. its sensory component carries taste sensations from the anterior two-thirds (front part) of the tongue,

Question 4

Its motor components

Answer 4

supply the muscles of facial expression + the saliva secretions of both submandibular + sublingual salivary glands.
Temporary paralysis of this nerve (left or right) gives rise to the condition of Bell’s palsy

Question 5

Glossopharyngeal nerve

Answer 5

a combination nerve, its sensory components caries taste sensations from posterior one-third of tongue, while its motor component supplies the muscles of the pharynx + the saliva secretions of the parotid salivary gland

Question 6

Hypoglossal nerve

Answer 6

This nerve has a motor component only + supplies the muscles of the tongue, to effect its complicated movements during speech, mastication + swallowing

Question 7

As with all the cranial nerves

Answer 7

the electrical transmission of these can be affect by many disorders involving the brain, including tumours. Pts who complain of altered taste sensations or sudden loss of facial sensations with no obvious cause require rapid neurological investigations to rule out any sinister causes