Trigeminal system

Question 1

trigeminal ganglion contains what?

Answer 1

• contains the cell bodies of the neurons that innervate the spinal trigeminal and chief sensory nucleus
  -also contains some cell bodies of mesencephalic nucleus

Question 2

where does the ascending branch of the sensory root go to?

Answer 2

the chief sensory trigeminal nucleus and mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus

Question 3

where does the descending branch of the sensory root go to?

Answer 3

along the spinal trigeminal nucleus

Question 4

trigeminal motor nucleus

Answer 4

• innervate the muscles of mastication
• is the SVE component of the trigeminal nerve

Question 5

spinal trigeminal nucleus

Answer 5

• extends into the cervical spinal cord, can be separated into 3 parts
• only important part is the pars caudalis, which functions as sensation of pain and temp for the face

Question 6

chief sensory nucleus

Answer 6

lateral to trigeminal motor nucleus in mid-pons region, functions as fine touch/pressure and vibration of the face

Question 7

mesencephalic nucleus

Answer 7

functions as the proprioception of the face, including muscles of mastication

Question 8

trigeminothalamic tract

Answer 8

ascending tract, that crosses over the length of the spinal trigeminal nucleus, chief sensory nucleus gives rise to 2nd order neurons, 3rd order neurons exit contra VPM to primary somatosensory cortex

Question 9

trigeminal lemniscus

Answer 9

2nd order neuron fibers from the chief sensory neuron and some of the spinal trigeminal nucleus
- ascends with the medial lemniscus and trigeminothalamic tract to the VPM

Question 10

look at pdf for corneal reflex

Question 11

look at pdf for trigeminal tracts