| Trigeminal cervical nucleus correlation to TMJ syndrome. The trigeminal cervical nucleus (TCN) plays a critical role in the link between temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders and neck pain. The TCN is a region in the brainstem where the trigeminal nerve, responsible for facial sensation, interacts with the upper cervical nerves. This convergence of nerve pathways helps explain why TMJ dysfunction often coincides with neck pain, headaches, and other related symptoms. Studies show that dysfunctions in the TMJ and upper cervical spine, which share overlapping neural pathways via the TCN, can exacerbate pain and mobility issues in both regions. For instance, research highlights that impaired jaw function is often seen in patients with cervical spine issues, and vice versa. TMJ disorders can influence muscle activity and joint function in the neck due to this neural connection, contributing to chronic pain in both areas. Several studies, such as one published in *Cranio: The Journal of Craniomandibular & Sleep Practice*, show that patients with TMJ dysfunction often exhibit limited upper cervical spine mobility. Another study demonstrates how therapies targeting the cervical spine can significantly improve TMJ-related symptoms [oai_citation:5,Translational research of temporomandibular joint pathology: a preliminary biomarker and fMRI study | Journal of Translational Medicine | Full Text](https://translational-medicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12967-019-02202-0) [oai_citation:4,Temporomandibular Joint Disorders, the Cervical Spine, and Spinal Manipulation](https://chiro-trust.org/advanced/temporomandibular-joint-disorders-cervical-spine-spinal-manipulation/) [oai_citation:3,Biomedicines | Free Full-Text | Effectiveness of Physiotherapy in the Treatment of Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction and the Relationship with Cervical Spine](https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/10/11/2962). You can explore more detailed studies here: - [Neural Basis of Cervicogenic Orofacial Pain](https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/10/11/2962) [oai_citation:2,Biomedicines | Free Full-Text | Effectiveness of Physiotherapy in the Treatment of Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction and the Relationship with Cervical Spine](https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/10/11/2962) - [Spinal Manipulation and TMJ Dysfunction](https://www.chiro-trust.org) [oai_citation:1,Temporomandibular Joint Disorders, the Cervical Spine, and Spinal Manipulation](https://chiro-trust.org/advanced/temporomandibular-joint-disorders-cervical-spine-spinal-manipulation/)
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