Question

The trigeminal nerve arises from the brain in the region of

• A. pons and divides into ophthalmic, maxillary and mandibular branches.
• B. medulla and divides into palatine, chorda tympani and hyomandibular branches.
• C. cerebellum and divides into palatine, chorda tympani and hyomandibular branches.
• D. cerebellum and divides into ophthalmic, maxillary and mandibular branches.

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

There are twelve pairs of cranial nerves. These arise from different parts of the brain. The first and second pairs arise from the cerebrum. Third and fourth from the midbrain. The fifth cranial nerve is from the pons. Sixth, seventh and eighth nerve arises from the junction of pons and medulla. Ninth, tenth, eleventh and twelfth cranial nerve arises from medulla. The trigeminal nerve is the fifth cranial nerve and thus arises from the pons. Trigeminal means it has three branches, which are the olfactory, maxillary and mandibular branch.