The sensory trigeminal nerve nucleus is the largest of the cranial nerve nuclei, and extends through the whole of the brainstem, midbrain to medulla.
The nucleus is divided into three parts, from rostral to caudal (top to bottom in humans):
There is also a distinct trigeminal motor nucleus that is medial to the chief sensory nucleus.
Dissection of brain-stem. Lateral view.
Deep dissection of brain-stem. Lateral view.
Nuclei of origin of cranial motor nerves schematically represented; lateral view.
Primary terminal nuclei of the afferent (sensory) cranial nerves schematically represented; lateral view.