Trigeminal nerve

Question 1

what is the trigeminal nerve

Answer 1

main sensory nerve of the head, carries information about touch, pain, temperature, and proprioception to the brain

Question 2

what muscles does the trigeminal nerve control

Answer 2

those related to chewing as well as the tensor tyampani (small muscle in inner ear which dampens loud noises), and the tensor veli palatini (helps prevent food from entering the nasopharynx and opens eustachian tube)

Question 3

what are the three divisions of the trigeminal nerve

Answer 3

ophthalmic (sensory), maxillary (sensory), and mandibular (sensory and motor)

Question 4

what information does the main sensory nucleus receive

Answer 4

touch and proprioception

Question 5

what information does the spinal trigeminal nucleus receive

Answer 5

pain and temperature sensations

Question 6

what information does the mesencephalic nucleus receive

Answer 6

proprioceptive information from the jaw and teeth

Question 7

what muscles does the motor nucleus control

Answer 7

chewing and other muscles

Question 8

effects of damage to the trigeminal nerve

Answer 8

abnormal sensation: decreased sensation, increased pain, weakening / paralysis in the muscles of mastication

Question 9

trigeminal neuralgia

Answer 9

patients experience short but intense bouts of facial pain; arises due to damage to the trigeminal nerve