What is the trigeminal nerve? What kind of problems or symptoms can come from the trigeminal nerve?

The trigeminal nerve is the largest nerve in the head and is responsible for carrying sensations like touch, pain, and temperature from your face to your brain. It has three main branches that reach different parts of the face: the forehead and eyes, the upper jaw and cheek, and the lower jaw. The trigeminal nerve also helps with functions like chewing, as it controls some of the muscles used for biting and moving the jaw.

When the trigeminal nerve is affected, it can cause problems such as trigeminal neuralgia, a condition that causes sudden, intense facial pain. People with this condition may feel sharp, stabbing pain in one part of the face, triggered by simple actions like brushing their teeth or even a light breeze. Other issues that can come from problems with the trigeminal nerve include numbness, tingling, or weakness in the face. These symptoms can be caused by nerve damage, compression, or diseases like multiple sclerosis.