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Clinical features

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Clinical features of trigeminal nerve palsy are related to loss of sensation in the areas supplied by the nerve and/ or loss of motor function for the muscles of mastication.

They include:

  • absent corneal reflex, with the patient unable to feel the cotton wool - this relates to the ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve
  • loss of facial sensation - if there is total loss of sensation in all three divisions then this is suggestive of a lesion at the ganglion or sensory root, e.g. an acoustic neuroma
  • inability to hold the mouth open - pterygoids - against light force from an examiner
  • denervation atrophy of the muscles of mastication
  • unilateral lesions of the motor division may result in deviation of the jaw to the weakened - affected - side.

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The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

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