Nerve
Trigeminal nerve (CN V)
Face sensation and mastication
High-yield
V1 (superior orbital fissure), V2 (foramen rotundum), V3 (foramen ovale). Only V3 is motor - to the muscles of mastication.
Overview
The largest cranial nerve, providing sensation to the face via three divisions (V1 ophthalmic, V2 maxillary, V3 mandibular) and motor supply to the muscles of mastication.
Learning this group? Read How to memorize the cranial nerves.
Reference facts
- Roots
- Sensory and motor (cranial nerve)
- Course
- From the trigeminal (Gasserian) ganglion, three divisions exit the skull via the superior orbital fissure, foramen rotundum, and foramen ovale
- Motor
- Muscles of mastication (masseter, temporalis, pterygoids), plus mylohyoid, anterior digastric, tensor tympani, and tensor veli palatini (via V3)
- Sensory
- Skin of the face, anterior scalp, cornea, mucosa of the mouth/nose/sinuses, and anterior two-thirds of the tongue (general sensation)
Mnemonic
Standing Room Only: V1 Superior orbital fissure, V2 Rotundum, V3 Ovale.
Clinical correlation
Trigeminal neuralgia causes severe lancinating facial pain in a division's distribution.
Frequently asked questions
What type of nerve is the trigeminal nerve (CN V)?
The trigeminal nerve (CN V) is sensory and motor (cranial nerve).
What muscles does the trigeminal nerve (CN V) supply?
The trigeminal nerve (CN V) supplies the muscles of mastication (masseter, temporalis, pterygoids), plus mylohyoid, anterior digastric, tensor tympani, and tensor veli palatini (via V3).
What is the sensory distribution of the trigeminal nerve (CN V)?
The trigeminal nerve (CN V) carries sensation from the skin of the face, anterior scalp, cornea, mucosa of the mouth/nose/sinuses, and anterior two-thirds of the tongue (general sensation).
What is the course of the trigeminal nerve (CN V)?
From the trigeminal (Gasserian) ganglion, three divisions exit the skull via the superior orbital fissure, foramen rotundum, and foramen ovale.