Trigeminal ganglion

Last revised by Yoshi Yu on 14 Apr 2023

The trigeminal ganglion, also known as the Gasser, Gasserian or semilunar ganglion, is the large crescent-shaped sensory ganglion of the trigeminal nerve located in the trigeminal cave (Meckel cave) surrounded by cerebrospinal fluid.

The ganglion contains the cell bodies of pseudounipolar sensory neurons of the trigeminal nerve (similar to dorsal root ganglia of the spinal cord) 5. From the ganglion, the 3 major divisions of the trigeminal nerve emerge anteriorly and inferiorly, with the first two (ophthalmic and maxillary divisions) passing anteriorly to enter the cavernous sinus, and the third (mandibular division) descending into the foramen ovale.

The ganglionic epineurium is innervated by the nervus spinosus from the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve which re-enters the skull via the foramen spinosum.

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