Structure The spinal nucleus is composed of three subnuclei: subnucleus oralis (pars oralis), subnucleus caudalis (pars caudalis), and subnucleus interpolaris (pars interpolaris). The subnucleus oralis is associated with the transmission of discriminative (fine)
tactile sense from the orofacial region, and is continuous with the
principal sensory nucleus of V. The subnucleus interpolaris is also associated with the transmission of tactile sense, as well as
dental pain, whereas the subnucleus caudalis is associated with the transmission of
nociception and thermal sensations from the head. This region is also denoted at sp5 in other neuroanatomical nomenclature.
Efferents This nucleus projects to the
ventral posteriomedial (VPM) nucleus in the contralateral thalamus via the
ventral trigeminal tract.
Relations The nucleus is situated lateral to the
nucleus of tractus solitarius.'''''' ==See also==