Walsh & Hoyt: Major Divisions of the Trigeminal Nerve

Somatic sensory impulses converge upon the gasserian ganglion from the eye, the deep and superficial structures of the face, and the cranium via three major nerves: the ophthalmic, the maxillary, and the mandibular divisions of the trigeminal nerve. Although these nerve trunks represent an afferent system, we describe their anatomy and that of their branches in a centrifugal sequence, from the gasserian ganglion to their connections in the periphery. The mandibular nerve is the only one of the three divisions that contains axons of the motor division of the trigeminal system. Some peripheral branches of the trigeminal nerve contain pre- or postganglionic parasympathetic fibers or post ganglionic sympathetic fibers to supply salivary, sweat, or other glands of face, eyes, and mouth.