Headaches

Neuroscience

Surgery

Trigeminal ganglion

Anesthesiology

Brainstem

Sensory system

Psychiatry

Pain medicine

Trigeminal nerve

Anesthesia

Neurology

Neuroradiology

Psychology

Cranial nerves

Anatomy

Primary headache

Medicine

Pathology

The Journal of Headache and Pain

The fifth cranial nerve is the common denominator for many headaches and facial pain pathologies currently known. Projecting from the trigeminal ganglion, in a bipolar manner, it connects to the brainstem and supplies various parts of the head and face with sensory innervation. In this review, we describe the neuroanatomical structures and pathways implicated in the sensation of the trigeminal system. Furthermore, we present the current understanding of several primary headaches, painful neuropathies and their pharmacological treatments. We hope that this overview can elucidate the complex field of headache pathologies, and their link to the trigeminal nerve, to a broader field of young scientists.

The fifth cranial nerve in headaches