Mesencephalic nucleus of trigeminal nerve

It is functionally responsible for preventing excessive biting that may damage the dentition, regulating tooth pain perception, and mediating the jaw jerk reflex (by means of projecting to the motor nucleus of the trigeminal nerve).[2] The mesencephalic nucleus can thus be considered functionally as a primary sensory ganglion embedded within the brainstem,[1] making it neuroanatomically unique.[3] Unlike many nuclei within the central nervous system (CNS), the mesencephalic nucleus contains no chemical synapses, neurons instead being electrically coupled.The MNTN is involved in reflex proprioception of the periodontium[8] and of the muscles of mastication in the jaw[9] that functions to prevent biting down hard enough to lose a tooth.To subserve this reflex protective function, mechanoreceptive nerves in the periodontal ligament sense tooth movement and project to the mesencephalic nucleus.
NeuroNamesNeuroLexAnatomical terms of neuroanatomytrigeminal nerve (cranial nerve V)brainstemproprioceptivemuscles of masticationjaw jerk reflexmotor nucleus of the trigeminal nerveprimary sensory neuronstrigeminal ganglionperiaqueductal graycerebral aqueductsensory ganglioncentral nervous systemsynapsespseudounipolarmandibletrigeminal motor nucleusneural crest dorsal root gangliaproprioceptionperiodontiummuscle spindlesskeletal muscletemporomandibular jointGolgi tendon organstrigeminal nerve nucleichief sensory nucleusspinal trigeminal nucleusheadachemylohyoidanterior belly of digastrictensor veli palatinitensor tympaniTrigeminocerebellar fibersmidbrainTectumCorpora quadrigeminaInferior colliculusSuperior colliculusGrey matterPretectal areaWhite matterSpinotectal tractCentral tegmental tractTectospinal tractPeduncleTegmentumMedialLateralAscending MLFVestibulo-oculomotor fibersSpinothalamic tractVentral trigeminal tractDentatothalamic tractRubrospinal tractRubro-olivary tractDescending MLFcranial nucleiOculomotor nucleusTrochlear nucleusEdinger–Westphal nucleusVentral tegmental areaRostromedial tegmental nucleusRed nucleusRostral interstitial nucleus of medial longitudinal fasciculusParabrachial areaInterpeduncular nucleusMidbrain reticular formationDorsal tegmental nucleusRaphe nucleidorsalReticulotegmental nucleusCerebral crusPyramidal tractsCorticospinal tractCorticobulbar tractCorticopontine tractFrontopontine fibersTemporopontine fibersSubstantia nigraPars compactaPars reticulataSuperior cerebellar peduncleDecussationInterpeduncular fossacranial nervesTerminalseptal nucleiOlfactoryanterior olfactory nucleusolfactory bulbolfactory tractlateral geniculate nucleusoptic chiasmoptic tractOculomotorsuperiorparasympathetic rootciliary ganglioninferiorTrochlearNucleusTrigeminalophthalmicmaxillarymandibularAbducensFacialIntermediate nerveGeniculatefacial canalGreater petrosalpterygopalatine ganglionNerve to the stapediusChorda tympanilingual nervesubmandibular ganglionstylomastoidforamenPosterior auricularSuprahyoiddigastricstylohyoidParotid plexustemporalzygomaticbuccalcervicalFacial motor nucleusSolitary nucleusSuperior salivary nucleusVestibulocochlearvestibular nucleicochlear nucleiCochlear nervestriae medullareslateral lemniscusVestibularScarpa's ganglionGlossopharyngealjugular fossaTympanictympanic plexuslesser petrosalotic ganglionStylopharyngeal branchPharyngeal branchesTonsillar branchesLingual branchesCarotid sinusNucleus ambiguusInferior salivatory nucleusMeningeal branchAuricular branchPharyngeal branchpharyngeal plexusSuperior laryngealexternalinternalRecurrent laryngealSuperior cervical cardiacThoraxInferior cardiacPulmonaryanteriorposteriorAbdomenCeliacHepaticAnterior gastricPosterior gastricDorsal nucleus of vagus nerveAccessoryspinal accessory nucleusCranialSpinalHypoglossallingual