trigeminal

American  

[trahy-jem-uh-nl] / traɪˈdʒɛm ə nl /

adjective

1. of or relating to the trigeminal nerve.

---

noun

1. Also called trigeminal nerve. either one of the fifth pair of cranial nerves, consisting of motor fibers that innervate the muscles of mastication, and of sensory fibers that conduct impulses from the head and face to the brain.

trigeminal British  

/ traɪˈdʒɛmɪnəl /

adjective

1. anatomy of or relating to the trigeminal nerve

---

Etymology

Origin of trigeminal

1820–30; < New Latin trigemin ( us ) ( Latin: triple, equivalent to tri- tri- + geminus twin, double) + -al ¹

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

trigeminal

I've been struggling with a condition called trigeminal neuralgia, external that causes excruciating pain like an electric shock across the side of my face, which can stop me from speaking, eating or drinking.

From BBC ● Aug. 28, 2026

The researchers then focused on the trigeminal ganglion, which contains the cell bodies of facial sensory neurons.

From Science Daily ● May 23, 2026

She was battling the chronic pain disorder trigeminal neuralgia.

From New York Times ● Mar. 19, 2024

Before kicking “Boast Rattle” off, Ayers pauses to set a complimentary mood: “I’m gonna get into the Boasting spirit and talk to you guys about a brain disease I have called trigeminal neuralgia,” he begins.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 21, 2023

Pain is a variable symptom; when present, it usually radiates along the branches of the first and second divisions of the trigeminal nerve.

From Manual of Surgery Volume Second: Extremities—Head—Neck. Sixth Edition. by Alexander Miles