CN V Course


The trigeminal nerve exits the brainstem at the pons at the same level as the cerebellar peduncles. It first travels through Meckel's cave (located in the floor of the middle cranial fossa) where its three divisions join at the trigeminal ganglion. It then splits into: 1. An ophthalmic division (V1) which exits through the superior orbital fissure 2. A maxillary division (V2) which exits through the foramen rotundum 3. A mandibular division (V3) which exits through the foramen ovale. Motor trigeminal nuclei are located in the pons while sensory nuclei span an area from the midbrain to the cervical cord.        

  1. Gross Cross Section
  2. Cartoon