Anatomy and Structure
- Trigeminal ganglion contains cell bodies of sensory neurons of trigeminal nerve
- Axons extend into three divisions of trigeminal nerve and brainstem
- Situated within trigeminal cave (Meckels cave)
- Trigeminal root extends from ganglion to pons
- Ganglion receives filaments from carotid plexus and issues branches to tentorium cerebelli and dura mater
- Trigeminal ganglion is crescent-shaped with convex border
- Ophthalmic, maxillary, and mandibular nerves arise from convex border
- Ganglion has medial relation to internal carotid artery and cavernous sinus
- Motor root of trigeminal nerve passes beneath ganglion
- Greater petrosal nerve passes underneath ganglion to reach foramen lacerum
Relations
- Internal carotid artery and posterior part of cavernous sinus are medial to ganglion
- Motor root of trigeminal nerve passes beneath ganglion
- Greater petrosal nerve passes underneath ganglion to reach foramen lacerum
Clinical significance
- Herpes virus lies dormant in trigeminal ganglion after primary infection
- Damage to ganglion can cause trigeminal trophic syndrome with paresthesias and anesthesia
- Ablation of trigeminal ganglion can be used in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia
Other animals
- Trigeminal ganglion is important in rodents for pathway from whiskers to brain
- Cell bodies of whisker primary afferents are found in ganglion
- Ganglion projects to trigeminal brain stem areas in rodents
- Rodent trigeminal ganglion has around 26,000-43,000 cell bodies
- Two distinct populations of cells with different responses to stimuli may exist in ganglion
Noteworthy details
- Ganglion receives filaments from carotid plexus and issues branches to tentorium cerebelli and dura mater
- Ganglion has medial relation to internal carotid artery and cavernous sinus
- Motor root of trigeminal nerve passes beneath ganglion
- Greater petrosal nerve passes underneath ganglion to reach foramen lacerum
The trigeminal ganglion (also known as: Gasserian ganglion, semilunar ganglion, or Gasser's ganglion) is the sensory ganglion of each trigeminal nerve (CN V). The trigeminal ganglion is located within the trigeminal cave (Meckel's cave), a cavity formed by dura mater.
| Trigeminal ganglion | |
|---|---|
 Nerves of the orbit. Seen from above. (Semilunar ganglion visible near bottom.) | |
 Distribution of the maxillary and mandibular nerves, and the submaxillary ganglion. (Semilunar ganglion visible in upper left.) | |
| Details | |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | ganglion trigeminale, ganglion semilunare (Gasseri) |
| MeSH | D012668 |
| TA98 | A14.2.01.014 |
| TA2 | 6194 |
| FMA | 52618 |
| Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy | |
trigeminal ganglion (plural trigeminal ganglia)
