As the name signifies, Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a nerve pain condition affecting the main nerve of the face (trigeminal nerve) and causing repeated sudden attacks of severe pain generally on one side of the face.
There is one trigeminal nerve on each side. It carries touch and painsensations from your face and controls the muscles used in chewing.The nerve divides into three main branches
1st branch- V1 (ophthalmic branch)goes to the scalp, forehead and the region around the eye
2nd branch- V2 (maxillary branch) goes to the cheek area
3rd branch- V3 (mandibular branch) goes to the jaw area
TN more commonly affects the 2nd and 3rdbranches causing pain over the jaw and the cheek area. The patient generally experiences a severe, sudden, sharp, stabbing, burning or shock-like sensation lasting for a short duration with frequent episodes throughout the day.
