urgery for Trigeminal Neuralgia in Pune Trigeminal Neuralgia: Introduction The term Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN), has two words within it. Trigeminal nerve is one of the (twelve) cranial (head) nerves which has three divisions (ophthalmic, maxillary, and mandibular) supplying to the areas of upper eye-lid to the lower chin. Neuralgia means pain. TN is a disorder of the Trigeminal nerve which presents as facial pain and headache. The pain is characteristically severe, intense, sharp, episodic, periodical, excruciating, stabbing and short lasting. Trigeminal nerve is the largest of twelve cranial nerves. All sensations from the face and mouth are covered by the Trigeminal nerve. One of the branches of the Trigeminal is often injected by your dentist while working on your dental cavity. Symptoms of Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN) As Trigeminal Neuralgia is typically described by the patients as episodes of extremely severe pain. TN is probably the most painful condition known to the human race. The Trigeminal Neuralgia pain is described as: Lancinating pain (as if poked by thorns) Like electric shock (as if a live wire is left free inside of the face) Stabbing pain Excruciating pain (as if a drilling machine is put on the certain part of face) Stitching pain Shooting pain Burning (as if fire) The Trigeminal Neuralgia pain may appear suddenly, may last for a fraction of second or may be for a few minutes. The pain is periodic in nature. In rare cases it may last for a couple of hours, making the patients almost immobile, whereby he or she may not be able to do any other activity. One would tend to hold the affected part until pain settles. Some patients may feel frustrated and and may think of committing suicide out of hopelessness. The pain might typically get worse by following triggers: Chewing and drinking Brushing and gargling Touching the face Talking Kissing Slightest wind or draft of air Movement of eye lids or blinking