Subdivision of the trigeminal sensory root

Abstract

✓ In 16 rhesus monkeys, rhizotomy of the whole trigeminal nerve and selective rhizotomy of each division were carried out, and neural degeneration techniques used, to determine whether a trigeminal root component exists which projects only to the main sensory or spinal nucleus of the trigeminal nerve. Such a root component was not found. Section of the rostral trigeminal fibers resulted in degeneration in both the main sensory nucleus and the spinal trigeminal nucleus. Section of the caudal fibers of the root produced degeneration similar to third division transection, indicating that the caudal fibers are from that division. The first- and third-division fibers were found to project to the ventral and dorsal portions of the main sensory nucleus and spinal nucleus. Findings showed that the most rostral portion of the root immediately adjacent to the motor root is predominately from the ophthalmic division. Some proprioception from the trigeminal area appears to be mediated through the medial cuneate nucleus because all the trigeminal divisions send some fibers to this nucleus.