Anatomy and physiology of trigeminal networks conveying nociception: a review

Trigeminal pain signaling system, like other sensory systems, employs specialized peripheral receptors to interact with its environment, with the goal to integrate information arising simultaneously from different sources. The purpose of this paper is to address some aspects of anatomical and functional organizations of trigeminal networks that convey nociceptive information. Peripheral polymodality, redundancy of representations of orofacial structures, pain pathways of trigeminal system, sensory transformation, and convergence are reviewed.