Trigeminal ganglion

The trigeminal ganglion, also known as the Gasser, Gasserian or semilunar ganglion, is the large crescent-shaped sensoryganglion of the trigeminal nerve located in the trigeminal cave (Meckel cave) surrounded by cerebrospinal fluid.

The ganglion contains the cell bodies of the sensory root of the trigeminal nerve. From the ganglion, the 3 major divisions of the trigeminal nerve emerge anteriorly and inferiorly, with the first two (ophthalmic and maxillary divisions passing anteriorly to enter the cavernous sinus, and the third, the mandibular, descending into the foramen ovale.)

Relations

• medial: motor root of the trigeminal nerve and sphenoid bone
• lateral: posterior part of the cavernous sinus, petrous apex and petrous internal carotid artery
• anterior: cavernous sinus and cavernous ICA
• posterior: prepontine cistern
• inferior: greater petrosal nerve and middle cranial fossa

Blood supply

• small ganglionic branches of the cavernous portion of the ICA
• accessory meningeal artery (from the maxillary artery, via the foramen ovale)

Innervation

The ganglionic epineurium is innervated by the nervus spinosus (off the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve and re-enters the skull via the foramen spinosum).