The trigeminal lemniscus is composed of second order neuronal axons in the brainstem. It carries sensory information from the trigeminal system to the ventral posteromedial nucleus of the thalamus.

The VPM contains synapses between second and third order neurons from the anterior (ventral) trigeminothalamic tract and posterior (dorsal) trigeminothalamic tract. These neurons convey sensory information from the face and oral cavity. Third order neurons in the trigeminothalamic systems project to the postcentral gyrus.

The VPM also receives taste afferent information from the solitary tract and projects to the cortical gustatory area.