Trigeminal nerve root (CN V)

Radix nervi trigemini

NervousOrgansHead

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What it is
The thick sensory root and small motor root leave the lateral side of the mid-pons where it joins the middle cerebellar peduncle. Shown as a short stub on both sides; the nerve continues in the peripheral nervous system.
Function
Sensation from the face, mouth and cornea; motor to the muscles of chewing.
Size
Stub about 1 cm; root 5.2 mm thick
Clinical note
Trigeminal neuralgia is often caused by an artery looping against this root entry zone; microvascular decompression can cure it.

Nearby nervous structures Abducens nerve root (CN VI), Facial nerve root (CN VII), Fourth ventricle, Glossopharyngeal nerve root (CN IX), Oculomotor nerve root (CN III), Pons, Trochlear nerve root (CN IV), Vagus nerve root (CN X), Vestibulocochlear nerve (CN VIII), Vestibulocochlear nerve root (CN VIII)