trigeminal nerve

noun

: either of a pair of large mixed nerves that are the fifth cranial nerves and supply motor and sensory fibers mostly to the face

called also trigeminal

Examples of trigeminal nerve in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The device works by stimulating the trigeminal nerve, the largest cranial nerve, which carries sensory information from the face to the brain, and which has also been associated with the pain of migraine headaches. IEEE Spectrum, 12 Mar. 2014 In people with scent sensitivities, the trigeminal nerve can get a little wonky when it’s exposed to certain scents, Dr. Patel says. Julia Ries, SELF, 9 Nov. 2022 Every night, the volunteers, like Ramirez, placed electrodes on their foreheads over the trigeminal nerve for eight hours. Ben Thomas, Discover Magazine, 3 Feb. 2016 Trigeminal neuralgia occurs when an artery or vein puts pressure on the trigeminal nerve, which carries sensation from the face to the brain. Katrina Firlik, Discover Magazine, 7 Apr. 2014 The membranes that line the brain are filled with nerves, such as the large and complex trigeminal nerve. Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 18 Mar. 2021 Because few people experience brain freeze when enjoying a cold treat, some scientists believe the trigeminal nerve may be more sensitive in these individuals. Kareem Clark, Discover Magazine, 6 Nov. 2021 In addition to brain freeze, similar interactions between the brain’s major blood vessels and trigeminal nerve may also cause other, more severe, types of headaches. Kareem Clark, Discover Magazine, 6 Nov. 2021 Amy Tomasulo was diagnosed in 2001 with trigeminal neuralgia, intense pain caused by irritation of the trigeminal nerve in the head, one of 12 pairs of nerves attached to the brain. Darcel Rockett, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'trigeminal nerve.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of trigeminal nerve was in 1830

Dictionary Entries Near trigeminal nerve

Cite this Entry

“Trigeminal nerve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trigeminal%20nerve. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

trigeminal nerve

noun
: either of the fifth pair of cranial nerves that are mixed nerves and in humans are the largest of the cranial nerves and that arise by a small motor root and a larger sensory root which both emerge from the side of the pons with the sensory root bearing the trigeminal ganglion and dividing into ophthalmic, maxillary, and mandibular nerves and the motor root supplying fibers to the mandibular nerve and through this to the muscles of mastication

called also fifth cranial nerve, trifacial nerve, trigeminus

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