Cranial Nerves 5: Fifth Cranial nerve - Trigeminal (V)

Branches of this nerve include ophthalmic, maxilallary and mandibular:

Test Pterygoids, Temporal, and Masseter Muscle Strength
  1. Ask patient to both open their mouth and clench their teeth.
  2. Palpate the temporal and massetter muscles as they do this.

Test the Three Divisions for Pain Sensation

  1. Explain what you intend to do.
  2. Use a suitable sharp object to test the forehead, cheeks, and jaw on both sides.
  3. Substitute a blunt object occasionally and ask the patient to report "sharp" or "dull."
If you find and abnormality then:
  1. Test the three divisions for temperature sensation with a tuning fork.
  2. Test for sensation to light touch using a wisp of cotton.

 
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5th Cranial Nerve
Trigeminal