Trigeminal motor nucleus

Trigeminal Motor Nucleus

The location of the Trigeminal Motor Nucleus in the human brain.

The Trigeminal Motor Nucleus is a collection of neurons located in the pons, a part of the brainstem. It is one of the cranial nerve nuclei and is responsible for innervating the muscles of mastication, the tensor tympani, tensor veli palatini, mylohyoid, and the anterior belly of the digastric.

Anatomy

The Trigeminal Motor Nucleus is situated in the upper part of the pons, beneath the fourth ventricle. It is medial to the main sensory nucleus and the spinal trigeminal nucleus. The nucleus is shaped like an elongated cell column, extending in the rostrocaudal direction.

Function

The Trigeminal Motor Nucleus controls the muscles involved in chewing and swallowing. It receives signals from the cerebral cortex, which are then transmitted to the muscles. The nucleus also plays a role in the control of reflexes related to these functions.

Clinical Significance

Damage to the Trigeminal Motor Nucleus can result in a variety of symptoms, including difficulty in chewing and swallowing, and loss of the corneal reflex. It can also lead to trigeminal neuralgia, a condition characterized by severe facial pain.

See Also

• Trigeminal nerve
• Brainstem
• Neuron