The trigeminal nerve is one of the most critical components of our nervous system, as it is the fifth and largest cranial nerve, responsible for carrying sensory information from the face to the brain. This nerve plays a pivotal role in transmitting sensations such as touch, pain, and temperature from various regions of the face, including the forehead, cheeks, and jaw. In fact, it is responsible for sensations from the face, eyes, sinuses, and even the scalp. This makes it an essential pathway for processing sensory input.

However, when the trigeminal nerve becomes overstimulated or dysfunctional, it can trigger a variety of neurological conditions, including migraines. During a migraine attack, the trigeminal nerve becomes hypersensitive, and its signals can become distorted, leading to intense and debilitating pain. This overstimulation is often accompanied by other migraine symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, light sensitivity (photophobia), sound sensitivity (phonophobia), and visual disturbances like aura.
The primary cause of trigeminal nerve dysfunction is not fully understood, but it is believed to be a result of genetic predisposition, environmental factors, or both. When the nerve is activated abnormally, it sends heightened pain signals to the brain, which can result in the sudden onset of a migraine attack. The trigeminal nerve is directly involved in the process of vasodilation, which refers to the widening of blood vessels in the brain, a condition known to be one of the key contributors to migraine pain.