Trigeminal neuralgia, also called tic douloureux, is a condition that affects the trigeminal nerve (the 5th cranial nerve), one of the largest nerves in the head. The trigeminal nerve is responsible for sending impulses of touch, pain, pressure, and temperature to the brain from the face, jaw, gums, forehead, and around the eyes. Trigeminal neuralgia is characterized by a sudden, severe, electric shock-like or stabbing pain typically felt on one side of the jaw or cheek. The disorder is more common in women than in men and rarely affects anyone younger than 50. The attacks of pain, which generally last several seconds and may be repeated one after the other, may be triggered by talking, brushing teeth, touching the face, chewing, or swallowing. The attacks may come and go throughout the day and last for days, weeks, or months at a time, and then disappear for months or years.

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SOURCE: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

BRAIN INFORMATION

CONDITIONS & TREATMENTS ANATOMY RADIOLOGY SURGERY

BRAIN LINKS

American Academy of Neurology National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke AANS/CNS

CONDITIONS & TREATMENTS

BRAIN SPINE (Cervical) PERIPHERAL NERVE

RESOURCES

NEUROSURGERY ONCALL SUPPORT GROUPS GUILFORD PHARMACEUTICALS MEDICAL INFORMATION LINKS DFW-NeuroNetwork