The term Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN), has two words within it.
Trigeminal nerve is one of the (twelve) cranial (head) nerves which has three
divisions (ophthalmic, maxillary, and mandibular) supplying to the areas of
upper eye-lid to the lower chin. Neuralgia means pain. TN is a disorder of the
Trigeminal nerve which presents as facial pain and headache. The pain is
characteristically severe, intense, sharp, episodic, periodical, excruciating,
stabbing and short lasting.
Trigeminal nerve is the largest of twelve cranial nerves. All sensations from the face and mouth are
covered by the Trigeminal nerve. One of the branches of the Trigeminal is often
injected by your dentist while working on your dental cavity.
TN is also known as tic douloureux.
When the patient's Trigeminal nerve during an
acute neuralgia phase was studied under electron microscope, it was revealed
that the abnormality existed at the level of the inner nerve fibers called axons
which carry nerve sensation, as well as the myelin (the nerve lining covering
the nerve fibers). Due to the damage to such delicate parts, the nerve fiber
behave like electrical wire with open ends, leading to electric shock like pain
induced by touch or jerk.
What causes Trigeminal Neuralgia?
The causes of TN are explained in detail on a separate page. In short,
it has been increasingly proved and understood that most cases of TN have
demyelination of the sensory nerve fibers of the Trigeminal Nerve, either in the
nerve root or (rarely) the brain stem. Demyelination means an erosion of the
nerve sheath, which leads to the exposure of the nerve fibers. The exposed nerve
fibers often get compressed or irritated by blood vessels (pulsating arteries or
veins), which lead to painful episodes of Trigeminal Neuralgia due to misfiring
of the nerve..
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Introduction
FAQ about Trigeminal
Neuralgia
