Neuroradiology of the 5th Cranial Nerve

Because of the three major branches: the ophthalmic division (v1), the maxillary division (v 2) and the mandibular division (v3), the 5th cranial nerve has been named the Trigeminal nerve. This nerve provides sensory innervation to the face and controls the muscles of mastication and other smaller muscles by the small branchial motor root.Each division of the 5th nerve leaves the cranial fossa by one of the three separate fissures or foramens .Therefore, the 5th nerve is vulnerable to involvement by various pathological processes such as infection, inflammation and benign and malignant tumors.In this presentation following a brief discussion of the imaging anatomy of the 5th nerve, we review the various pathological features. We would like to discuss the selected cases by showing MRI images, with emphasis on some characteristic signs and differential diagnosis.