trigeminal

American  

[trahy-jem-uh-nl] / traɪˈdʒɛm ə nl /

adjective

1. of or relating to the trigeminal nerve.

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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

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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

One of the most surprising discoveries involved the trigeminal nerve, a major facial nerve responsible for facial sensation and certain motor functions.

From Science Daily ● May 23, 2026

She said that she was also diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia earlier in the year.

From BBC ● Jul. 15, 2025

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

These fibers pass to the brain as parts of two pairs of nerves—those from the front of the tongue joining the trigeminal nerve, and those from the back of the tongue, the glossopharyngeal nerve.

From Physiology and Hygiene for Secondary Schools by Walters, Francis M.