Trigeminal ganglion

Sensory ganglion of the trigeminal nerve

Diagram of the trigeminal nerve, showing the trigeminal ganglion

The trigeminal ganglion and its branches

The position of the trigeminal ganglion in the skull

The trigeminal nerve and its branches

The trigeminal ganglion and its connections

Histological slide of the trigeminal ganglion

Another histological view of the trigeminal ganglion

The trigeminal ganglion (also known as the Gasserian ganglion, semilunar ganglion, or Gasser's ganglion) is a collection of nerve cell bodies of the trigeminal nerve (cranial nerve V) located in the skull. It is responsible for the sensory innervation of the face and head.

Anatomy

The trigeminal ganglion is situated in a cavity called Meckel's cave, located in the middle cranial fossa of the skull. It is a flattened, crescent-shaped structure that contains the cell bodies of the sensory neurons of the trigeminal nerve. The ganglion gives rise to three major branches:

• The ophthalmic nerve (V1), which provides sensory innervation to the forehead, scalp, and upper eyelid.
• The maxillary nerve (V2), which supplies the lower eyelid, cheek, nostril, upper lip, and upper gum.
• The mandibular nerve (V3), which innervates the lower lip, lower gum, chin, and parts of the ear.

Function

The primary function of the trigeminal ganglion is to relay sensory information from the face to the central nervous system. It transmits sensations of touch, pain, and temperature from the face, mouth, and nasal cavity. The ganglion also plays a role in the corneal reflex, which is the involuntary blinking of the eyelids when the cornea is stimulated.

Clinical significance

The trigeminal ganglion is involved in several clinical conditions, most notably trigeminal neuralgia, a chronic pain condition characterized by severe, episodic facial pain. This condition is often treated with medications, nerve blocks, or surgical procedures targeting the ganglion.

Related pages

• Trigeminal nerve
• Trigeminal neuralgia
• Cranial nerves

References

• Standring, S. (2016). Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice. 41st edition. Elsevier.
• Rhoton, A. L. (2002). "The trigeminal nerve." Neurosurgery. 51(4 Suppl): S1-23.