When we're looking at Migraine and headache information, whether it's from our doctor, a book, or an online article, we sometimes come across medical terms that can be confusing.

Sometimes, it's easy enough to substitute another word or a short phrase for the medical term. At other times, substituting just doesn't convey quite the same meaning or takes more than a few words.

Some of you have expressed an interest in learning more of the medical terminology that comes up when discussing Migraine disease and other headache disorders. So, I'll be posting a "term of the day," probably a couple of times a week. If there are terms you'd like to have defined, please leave a comment to let me know what it is.

Today's term: Trigeminal Nerve.

The Trigeminal Nerve is the fifth cranial nerve, a major nerve of the face and head. Related to nerve impulses that direct the muscles for jaw movement. The trigeminal nerve has three branches: one runs over they eyes, one over the sinuses, one along the jaw.

The Trigeminal Nerve is sometimes discussed in relation to Migraine because it becomes inflamed during a Migraine and is one reason why Migraines may seem to be sinus headaches.
 

You can read more about Migraine the Trigeminal Nerve  in:

• Sinuses Giving You a Headache? It’s Probably a Migraine

• Pathways of Migraine

For more terms, see our Migraine and Headache Glossary.

Live well,

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Medical review by John Claude Krusz, PhD, MD.

© Teri Robert, 2010
Last updated January 20, 2010