Anat. [L. trigeminus born three at a birth, f. TRI- + L. gemin-us born at the same birth.]
† 1. A former name for the complexus muscle (COMPLEXUS2). Obs.
[1704. J. Harris, Lex. Techn., I. Complexus, a Muscle of the Head, serving to move it backwards. It is also called Trigeminum, because it hath plainly a three-fold beginning, and seems to be compounded of 3 Muscles.]
1706. Phillips (ed. Kersey), Trigeminus or Trigeminum.
2. The trigeminal nerve. Also attrib.
1875. trans. von Ziemssen’s Cycl. Med., II. 574. Neuralgia in the branches of the trigeminus nerve.
1899. Allbutt’s Syst. Med., VII. 354. Tactile sensibility may be impaired in the region of the trigeminus on the side of the lesion.
