5.29 - Trigeminal Mechanisms of Nociception: Peripheral and Brain Stem Organization

The trigeminal nerve (Vn) plays a unique role in protecting specialized sense organs of the head and oral cavity, such as the retina, from environmental challenges. Pain is the dominant sensation evoked by stimulation of dental pulp, cornea or dura, tissues supplied by almost exclusively by small diameter afferent fibers and that terminate as free nerve endings. Neuroimmune mechanisms act peripherally and centrally to modify craniofacial pain. Sex hormone status is a key factor in many craniofacial pain conditions which are often more prevalent in females than males.