A 30-year-old woman presents with sudden severe facial pain triggered by chewing that follows the distribution of the mandibular division. Which ganglion contains the cell bodies of the primary afferent neurons responsible for this pain?

• A Pterygopalatine ganglion
• B Trigeminal (semilunar) ganglion ✓
• C Geniculate ganglion
• D Otic ganglion

Explanation

The trigeminal ganglion (Gasserian or semilunar ganglion) houses the cell bodies of primary sensory neurons for all three divisions of the trigeminal nerve (ophthalmic, maxillary, and mandibular). Pain in the V3 distribution from trigeminal neuralgia originates from these pseudo-unipolar neurons. The pterygopalatine and otic ganglia are parasympathetic relay ganglia, while the geniculate ganglion belongs to CN VII.

Reference: BD Chaurasia's Human Anatomy, 8th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.