Definition
Peripheral Trigeminal Pathway
The peripheral trigeminal pathway is the portion of the trigeminal system extending from the trigeminal ganglion to its sensory terminals in the meninges and cranial vasculature.
It transmits nociceptive signals from the cranial periphery to the central nervous system and is the initial site of migraine pain generation.
Clinical Relevance
Early intervention target
Acute medications such as triptans and gepants act primarily on the peripheral trigeminal pathway.
Once central sensitisation has developed, interventions directed solely at peripheral targets become ineffective.