Abstract：Objective:To investigate the anatomical characteristics of the trigeminal nerve on the transverse plane in order to provide morphological basis for the imaging diagnosis of the trigeminal lesions. Methods:The morphology and adjacent relationships of trigeminal nerve were studied through comparing the horizontal serial sections of 36 adult cadaver brains with 3D-CISS MR images of 10 healthy subjects.Results:On the cross section through middle cerebellar peduncle, the cisternal segment of trigeminal nerve linked to middle cerebellar peduncles and ran to the anterolateral side in the upper part of the pontocerebellar cistern between the basilar part of pons and the tentorium of cerebellum; On the cross section through the cavernous sinus, the trigeminal ganglion was located in the posterolateral part of the cavernous sinus and sent out ophthalmic nerve which entered the orbital cavity by the superior orbital fissure after passing through the lateral wall of cavernous sinus; On the cross section through carotid canal, trigeminal ganglion sent out maxillary nerve and mandibular nerve, which was in the rear of petrous bone, clips between the section of sphenoid body and temporal lobe; On the cross section through foramen oval, there were foramen oval and foramen spinosum on the greater wing of sphenoid bone through which the mandibular nerve and the middle meningeal artery passed respectively. The identification of the trigeminal nerve on the transverse MRI scanning was corresponding with the horizontal sectional specimen.Conclusions:The serial transverse sectional specimens combining with 3D-CISS MRI has advantages on displaying the course, morphology and adjacent relationships of the cisternal segment, the ganglion segment and the skull base segment of the trigeminal nerve.
2013, Vol. 18 
