Supplies sensory innervation to the face and scalp alongside spinal nerves from C1-C3
CNV3 also supplies motor to muscles of mastication (see ‘Muscles of the Face‘)
NB CNVII (the facial nerve) supplies motor to the mimetic muscles of the face
Structure
Fibres originate from the motor and sensory/parasympathetic nucleus
Motor nucleus from the pons
Sensory/parasympathetic nucleus is diffuse – comes from throughout the brainstem
Simplified diagram of the branches of CNV.
There are three main branches that arise at thetrigeminal ganglion on the sphenoid bone (middle cranial fossa)
CN V1 –Ophthalmic branch (sensory)
Passes through superior orbital fissure
Innervates near the eyes – cornea, most paranasal sinuses, upper and anterior nasal septum, lacrimal duct, forehead, upper eyelid
CN V2 – Maxillary branch (sensory)
Passes through foramen rotundum
Innervates maxillary region – maxillary sinus, upper teeth and gum, hard palate, soft palate, lower bit of nose, posterior bit of nasal septum, lower eyelid
CN V3 – Mandibular branch (sensory and motor)
Passes through foramen ovale
Sensory – Innervateslower cheek and below lower lip – part of cheek, lower jaw, lower lip, floor of mouth, tongue, lower teeth and gums, proprioception from jaw muscles
Motor – Innervates muscles of mastication
Distribution of CNV. Note the neck and posterior head are supplied by cervical spinal nerves. Image taken from Moore & Dalley.