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Cranial Nerve V: The Trigeminal Nerve Stemming from the lateral superior margin of the left and right side of the pons, this nerve branches into three: V/I ophthalmic, V/II maxillary and V/III mandibular nerves. These branches exit the skull through the superior orbital fissure (V/I), the foramen rotundum (V/II) and the foramen ovale (V/III). This nerve governs the sensory innervation of the face, sinuses and teeth.
Fibers leaving the nucleus ambiguus travel anteriorly and laterally to exit the medulla posterior to the olive as a series of 8 - 10 rootlets. Upon emerging from the lateral aspect of the medulla the branchial motor component travels with the fibers of the accessory nerve (CN XI) into the jugular foramen of the skull. The remaining components of the vagus nerve also enter the jugular foramen and give rise to two ganglia (the superior and inferior vagal ganglia) within the jugular foramen.