Trigeminal nerve endings in nasal mucosa

The trigeminal nerve endings in the nasal mucosa are the peripheral sensory terminals of the ophthalmic (V1) and maxillary (V2) branches of the trigeminal nerve (Cranial Nerve V) [StatPearls, 2023]. These endings are distributed throughout the respiratory epithelium and are responsible for detecting mechanical, thermal, and chemical stimuli, a process known as chemesthesis [Journal of Headache and Pain, 2018]. They express a high density of nociceptive receptors, including Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 1 (TRPV1), Transient Receptor Potential Ankyrin 1 (TRPA1), and Acid-Sensing Ion Channels (ASICs), which mediate the sensation of irritation and pain [Frontiers in Physiology, 2021]. In disease states, these nerve endings contribute to the pathophysiology of migraine and cluster headaches through the release of proinflammatory neuropeptides like Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP) and Substance P [PubMed, 2020]. Therapeutic interventions targeting these endings include nasal sprays containing triptans, local anesthetics like lidocaine, or pungent compounds like capsaicin intended to desensitize the nociceptors [Clinical Neuropharmacology, 2015]. Furthermore, these nerve endings are a critical component of the nasal-to-brain pathway, offering a potential route for therapeutic agents to bypass the blood-brain barrier [Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews, 2022].

Other names

Nasal trigeminal afferentsTrigeminal sensory nerve endingsIntranasal trigeminal receptorsNasal nociceptors

Modulation of sensory neurotransmission through the activation, inhibition, or desensitization of nociceptive receptors (e.g., TRPV1) and voltage-gated ion channels.