Trigeminal Ganglion

Trigeminal Ganglion

Sarah Sacoor & Ana Caetano

This image shows a mouse trigeminal ganglion, an important collection of nerve cells which relay information on touch, pain and temperature from the face to the brain. The circular structures (pink) are neuron cell bodies that give rise to the three branches of the trigeminal nerve: ophthalmic, maxillary and mandibular. They are surrounded by glial cells (cyan) which provide essential support to the neurons. Studying the trigeminal ganglion helps us to understand facial sensation and associated diseases such as trigeminal neuralgia, headaches and toothache.