G50: Disorders of trigeminal nerve

G50.9: Disorder of trigeminal nerve, unspecified

The trigeminal nerve is on each side of the body, starting in your brain and coursing down the face to the masseter muscles (chewing muscles). The trigeminal nerve enables us to feel sensations on the skin of the face and on the tongue. These sensations include, for example, touch, heat and pain. The trigeminal nerve also runs to the chewing muscles so that we can chew.

When the trigeminal nerve is damaged, one may have a range of symptoms. For example, there may be facial pain. You may also be unable to feel parts of your face or your tongue properly. You may not be able to chew properly.