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trigeminal

trigeminal

9.9
A nerve in the head that carries feeling from the face and controls biting and chewing
  • noun
  • /traɪˈdʒɛmɪnəl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : trigémino
  • After the injury, she experienced pain in the area served by the trigeminal nerve.

Examples

  • Two exceptions were tumors of the trigeminal (n6) and optic (n14) nerves; in one case, (n15) the exact location was unreported.

    Academic text (2004)
  • The trigeminal nerve transmits sensations from the face to the brain.

  • Here's the trigeminal ganglion coming from the face.

  • First of all, the dorsal lateral placodes include the trigeminal placode, OK.

  • The doctor explained that the trigeminal nerve controls both feeling in the face and movements for chewing.

Synonyms

trigeminal nerve
vstrigeminal
  • Specialized
7.7

A nerve in the face that carries feeling and controls chewing muscles

is the same term but often used adjectivally in medical descriptions
fifth cranial nerve
vstrigeminal
  • Specialized
7.4

A main nerve in the face that carries feeling and controls chewing muscles

is the same label but phrased as a descriptive anatomical name
nervus trigeminus
vstrigeminal
  • Specialized
8.4

A large nerve in the face that sends touch signals and controls chewing muscles

is identical but presented in classical Latin terminology
trigeminus
vstrigeminal
  • Specialized
9.9

The main nerve in the face that feels touch and controls chewing

means the same but is a variant form used in some texts

Compounds

trigeminal neuralgia
  • Specialized
1 7.5

A sudden, very strong, sharp pain in one side of the face caused by a nerve problem

trigeminal nerve
  • Specialized
7.7

A nerve in the face that carries feeling and controls chewing muscles

Surface Forms

trigeminal singular
trigeminals plural

Morphology

trigeminal = trigeminal (opaque) = tri + gemin + al

In medical usage, the noun is an understandable substantivized use of the adjective 'trigeminal', but it depends on the omitted noun 'nerve'.

Etymology

Trigeminal comes from the Latin parts tri- ('three') and geminus ('twin'), because the trigeminal nerve divides into three main branches across the face. So think of trigeminal as the 'three-part' nerve that gives feeling to the face and helps with chewing.