trigeminal

adjective

tri·​gem·​i·​nal trī-ˈje-mə-nᵊl How to pronounce trigeminal (audio)
: of or relating to the trigeminal nerve

Examples of trigeminal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The authors conclude that The main finding of this study is that the hypothalamus, depending on the state of the migraine cycle, exhibits an altered functional coupling with the spinal trigeminal nuclei and the region of the dorsal rostral pons. Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 22 May 2016 What activates the trigeminal fibers is highly individualistic. Jenifer Frank, courant.com, 24 Feb. 2022 The rich aromas of searing meat draw us to the table and make our mouths water—an important physiological reaction called trigeminal response. Jim Dewan, chicagotribune.com, 11 Oct. 2021 It’s not our sense of taste that’s doing the work here but our trigeminal or chemical sense, which registers sensations of irritation, temperature and touch to alert the body of potential harm. Matt Siegel, WSJ, 28 Aug. 2021 Similarly, your physician can look for other problems that predispose to developing TMJ pain (such as arthritis), or occasionally neurological conditions like trigeminal or glossopharyngeal neuralgia, that look like TMJ dysfunction. Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 6 May 2021 Photic sneezing, for instance, is theorized to possibly result from some kind of cross-communication between the trigeminal and optic nerves. Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, 8 Mar. 2019 Migraines, this theory holds, start when the spreading electrical wave activates the trigeminal ganglion, a cluster of neurons that sit close to the brainstem. Tony Dajer, Discover Magazine, 19 Oct. 2018 With oral herpes, HSV-1 hangs out in the trigeminal ganglion, a nerve cluster in your skull. Becky Little, Smithsonian, 23 Mar. 2018

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

Word History

Etymology

New Latin trigeminus trigeminal nerve, from Latin, threefold, from tri- + geminus twin

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of trigeminal was in 1830

Dictionary Entries Near trigeminal

Cite this Entry

“Trigeminal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trigeminal. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

trigeminal

1 of 2 adjective
tri·​gem·​i·​nal trī-ˈjem-ən-ᵊl How to pronounce trigeminal (audio)
: of or relating to the trigeminal nerve

trigeminal

2 of 2 noun
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