Where are the general sensory cell bodies located for the trigeminal nerve?

Question

The question asks about a specific type cell bodies: general sensory. We know all general sensory cell bodies are located in a specific type of structure.

Though this question includes a cranial nerve, the rule about the structure which all general sensory cell bodies are located in still applies.

Answer 1

The general sensory cell bodies for the trigeminal nerve (cranial nerve V) are located in the trigeminal ganglion (also known as the semilunar ganglion or Gasserian ganglion).

This structure is consistent with the general rule that all general sensory cell bodies are in sensory ganglia outside the central nervous system. In this case, the trigeminal ganglion serves as the sensory ganglion for the trigeminal nerve.

It contains the pseudounipolar neurons responsible for transmitting sensory information such as touch, pain, temperature, and proprioception from the face, oral cavity, and other regions innervated by the trigeminal nerve.

Answer 2

The answer: trigeminal ganglion or the semilunar ganglion.

General sensory fibers have cell bodies located in ganglia because they are outside of the central nervous system. Specifically, they are called dorsal root ganglia due to the their location on the posterior, or dorsal, aspect of the spinal roots. The twist in this question is the involvement of a cranial nerve: trigeminal nerve (CNV). However, the general sensory fibers still have cell bodies in a ganglion, a special ganglion, the trigeminal or semilunar ganglion.