Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 2, 2026
06:00
Assessment of Spatial Lingual Tactile Sensitivity using a Gratings Orientation Test
Published on: September 17, 2021
Quantitative sensory testing in the trigeminal region: site and gender differences
Renata Matos1, Kelun Wang, Janek Dalsgaard Jensen
1Center for Sensory-Motor Interaction (SMI), Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark.
Journal of Orofacial Pain
|April 30, 2011
Summary
This study established a quantitative sensory testing (QST) profile in the trigeminal area, revealing women have higher sensitivity to cold and pressure pain. Facial sites also showed differences in heat pain and vibration detection thresholds.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Sensory Physiology
Background:
- Quantitative sensory testing (QST) is crucial for understanding somatosensory function.
- Establishing normative QST profiles in specific anatomical regions like the trigeminal (V) area is essential for clinical applications.
- Investigating potential gender and site-specific differences in sensory perception is vital for accurate interpretation of QST data.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a normative quantitative sensory testing (QST) profile within the trigeminal (V) nerve distribution in healthy adults.
- To investigate potential gender-based differences in trigeminal sensory perception.
- To identify differences in sensory thresholds between distinct facial sites innervated by the V2 (infraorbital) and V3 (mental) nerves.
Main Methods:
- A standardized QST protocol was applied to 30 healthy participants (15 men, 15 women) aged 18-25.
- Sensory thresholds, including cold detection (CDT), heat pain (HPT), and pressure pain (PPT), were assessed bilaterally on facial sites corresponding to V2 and V3 nerve distributions.
- Statistical analysis involved ANOVAs for repeated measures and Bonferroni post-hoc tests to compare gender and site differences.
Main Results:
- Women exhibited significantly lower cold detection thresholds (CDT) and pressure pain thresholds (PPT), indicating higher sensitivity.
- The infraorbital (V2) nerve distribution showed significantly lower heat pain thresholds (HPT) and higher vibration detection thresholds (VDT) compared to the mental (V3) nerve distribution.
- No significant differences in sensory thresholds were observed between the right and left sides of the face.
Conclusions:
- The developed standardized QST protocol provides a normative profile for the trigeminal area.
- Findings highlight significant gender differences in pain and cold sensitivity and site-specific variations in thermal and vibratory perception.
- This research offers foundational data for understanding somatosensory phenotypes and sensory dysfunctions within the trigeminal system.
