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 convergence of circuit-level precision and unmet clinical need has drawn attention to conditions such as trigeminal neuralgia, a disorder caused by abnormal signaling in the trigeminal nerve that can produce severe, episodic facial pain. —New Atlas, 16 Jan. 2026

Overstimulation of the trigeminal nerve can occur on its own or be triggered by factors such as stress, certain foods, sleep disturbances, or hormone imbalances, among others. —Colleen Doherty, Verywell Health, 19 Nov. 2025

It was released from trigeminal nerve endings surrounding cranial blood vessels. —Jerome Groopman, New Yorker, 11 Aug. 2025

Such reactions typically occur when the trigeminal nerves, responsible for sensation in the face, are triggered by such compounds. —ArsTechnica, 1 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for trigeminal nerve

• conserve
• deserve
• manoeuvre
• observe
• preserve
• reserve
• subserve
• curve
• mirv
• serve
• swerve
• verve

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