Spinal nucleus of the trigeminal nerve
Updates to Article Attributes
The spinal nucleus of the trigeminal nerve is one of three major nuclei that make up the trigeminal sensory nerve nuclear complex along with the main sensory nucleus and the mesencephalic nucleus 1-2.
Gross Anatomyanatomy
The spinal nucleus of the trigeminal nerve is a paired structure and is an inferior continuation of the main sensory nucleus of the trigeminal nerve within the caudal pons. It extends inferiorly through the medulla to the level of the upper cervical cord (approximately C2 to C3 levels) where it becomes continuous with the dorsal horn of the spinal cord. The spinal nucleus lies ventral to the vestibular and cochlear nuclei and medial to the inferior cerebellar peduncles.
Innervation
The spinal nucleus receives afferent impulses from the unilateral face which convey information about pain, temperature and crude touch.
The spinal nucleus of the trigeminal nerve also receives sensory afferent impulses from the glossopharyngeal nerve (from the pharynx, soft palate and tympanic membrane) and the vagus nerve (from the meninges, external auditory canal and the external ear).
-<p>The spinal nucleus of the <a title="Trigeminal nerve (CN V)" href="/articles/trigeminal-nerve">trigeminal nerve </a>is one of three major nuclei that make up the trigeminal sensory nerve nuclear complex along with the <a title="Main sensory nucleus of the trigeminal nerve" href="/articles/main-sensory-nucleus-of-the-trigeminal-nerve">main</a> sensory nucleus and the <a title="Mesencephalic nucleus" href="/articles/mesencephalic-nucleus">mesencephalic nucleus </a><sup>1-2</sup>. <sup> </sup></p><h5>Gross Anatomy</h5><p>The spinal nucleus of the trigeminal nerve is a paired structure and is an inferior continuation of the main sensory nucleus of the trigeminal nerve within the caudal pons. It extends inferiorly through the medulla to the level of the upper cervical cord (approximately C2 to C3 levels) where it becomes continuous with the dorsal horn of the spinal cord. </p><h5>Innervation</h5><p>The spinal nucleus receives afferent impulses from the unilateral face which convey information about pain, temperature and crude touch.</p><p>The spinal nucleus of the trigeminal nerve also receives sensory afferent impulses from the <a title="Glossopharyngeal nerve" href="/articles/glossopharyngeal-nerve">glossopharyngeal</a> nerve (from the pharynx, soft palate and tympanic membrane) and the <a title="Vagus nerve" href="/articles/vagus-nerve">vagus</a> nerve (from the meninges, external auditory canal and the external ear).</p>- +<p>The spinal nucleus of the <a href="/articles/trigeminal-nerve">trigeminal nerve </a>is one of three major nuclei that make up the trigeminal sensory nerve nuclear complex along with the <a href="/articles/main-sensory-nucleus-of-the-trigeminal-nerve">main</a> sensory nucleus and the <a href="/articles/mesencephalic-nucleus">mesencephalic nucleus </a><sup>1-2</sup>. <sup> </sup></p><h5>Gross anatomy</h5><p>The spinal nucleus of the trigeminal nerve is a paired structure and is an inferior continuation of the main sensory nucleus of the trigeminal nerve within the caudal pons. It extends inferiorly through the medulla to the level of the upper cervical cord (approximately C2 to C3 levels) where it becomes continuous with the dorsal horn of the spinal cord. The spinal nucleus lies ventral to the vestibular and cochlear nuclei and medial to the inferior cerebellar peduncles.</p><h5>Innervation</h5><p>The spinal nucleus receives afferent impulses from the unilateral face which convey information about pain, temperature and crude touch.</p><p>The spinal nucleus of the trigeminal nerve also receives sensory afferent impulses from the <a href="/articles/glossopharyngeal-nerve">glossopharyngeal</a> nerve (from the pharynx, soft palate and tympanic membrane) and the <a href="/articles/vagus-nerve">vagus</a> nerve (from the meninges, external auditory canal and the external ear).</p>
References changed:
- 1. Lynley Bradnam, Christine Barry. The Role of the Trigeminal Sensory Nuclear Complex in the Pathophysiology of Craniocervical Dystonia. (2013) Journal of Neuroscience. 33 (47): 18358. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.3544-13.2013">doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.3544-13.2013</a> - <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24259561">Pubmed</a> <span class="ref_v4"></span>
- 2. Price S & Daly D. Neuroanatomy, Trigeminal Nucleus. 2024. - <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30969645">Pubmed</a>
Unable to process the form. Check for errors and try again.