Alligator Trigeminal Nerve and Brain

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This model displays the brain and trigeminal nerves of the American Alligator dissected from Iodine-contrast microCT data by Emily Lessner and Corrine Cranor. The right side comes from 85micron data; the left from 23micron data. The Trigeminal Nerve gives alligators a remarkable sense of face touch. Branches of this nerve connect to small integumentary sensory organs (ISOs) on the scales, visible as tiny black dots. In alligators and other vertebrates, there are three main sections of the trigeminal nerve: Ophthalmic division supplies the middle nasal and premaxillary regions Maxillary division supplies the maxilla and lateral face. Mandibular division supplies the lower jaw and tongue. Alligators and crocodiles use sensory receptors to locate objects and differentiate between food and non-food items. While crocodiles have these receptors all over their body, alligators only have them around the mouth. Research indicates that this extra-sensitive face evolved within the modern group of crocodilians.