title: Microsurgical anatomy of the trigeminal nerve.
abstract: The objective of this study is to review surgical anatomy of the trigeminal nerve. We also demonstrate some pictures involving the trigeminal nerve and its surrounding connective and neurovascular structures. Ten adult cadaveric heads were studied, using a magnification ranging from 3× to 40×, after perfusion of the arteries and veins with colored latex. The trigeminal nerve is the largest and most complex of the cranial nerves. It serves as a major conduit of sensory input from the face and provides motor innervation to the muscles of mastication. Because of its size and complexity, it is essential to have thorough knowledge of the nerve before diagnoses and treatment of the pathologic processes in the orofacial, temporomandibular, infratemporal, and pterygopalatine areas. The trigeminal nerve is encountered with imaging or surgery of the skull base surgery. Thus, a comprehensive knowledge of the anatomy of the trigeminal nerve is crucial for performing the surgical procedures without significant complication.
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, Yeouido St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea; Department of Neurosurgery, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.
authors: Wonil
authors: W
authors: Joo
authors: Fumitaka
authors: F
authors: Yoshioka
authors: Takeshi
authors: T
authors: Funaki
authors: Koji
authors: K
authors: Mizokami
authors: Albert L
authors: AL
authors: Rhoton
mesh_terms: D001933:Brain Stem / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D002102:Cadaver; D004210:Dissection; D006257:Head / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D006801:Humans; D008340:Mandibular Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008442:Maxillary Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008488:Medical Illustration; D008866:Microsurgery; D009882:Ophthalmic Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D014276:Trigeminal Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000601:surgery
keywords: mandibular nerve (V3); maxillary nerve (V2); ophthalmic nerve (V1); trigeminal nerve (V)