a. (sb.) Anat. [f. L. trigemin-us born three at a birth (see below) + -AL.] A name for the fifth pair of cranial nerves, from their dividing into three branches: also called TRIFACIAL. Also absol. as sb.
1830. R. Knox, Béclard’s Anat., 349. The nerves of the arteries belong either to the sympathetic nerves, or to the spinal and trigeminal nerves.
1872. Huxley, Physiol., xi. 264. Each nerve of the fifth pair is very large … and, having three chief divisions, is often called trigeminal.
1899. Allbutt’s Syst. Med., VI. 744. Such pain follows the distribution of peripheral branches of the trigeminal.
b. Pertaining to, occurring in, or affecting the trigeminal nerve.
1874. Garrod & Baxter, Mat. Med. (1880), 22. In cases of intercostal and trigeminal neuralgia.
1899. Allbutt’s Syst. Med., VII. 354. The trigeminal anæsthesia affects either the whole of the region … or only that supplied by special divisions.
