Cluster headaches are typically unilateral and involve which area?

Cluster headaches are typically unilateral and involve which area?

• A. Base of the skull
• B. Anterior temple
• C. Around one eye
• D. Jaw

Answer: (C)

Cluster headaches cause very intense, unilateral pain that is centered around the eye—the orbital or periorbital region. This focal area around one eye is characteristic because the pain typically sits behind or around the eye itself, often with ipsilateral autonomic symptoms like tearing or eyelid droop. The trigeminal nerve’s ophthalmic division supplies this area, which is why the pain is so precisely orbital. Pain in the base of the skull or jaw isn’t the typical pattern for cluster headaches, and while some headaches can involve the temple, the hallmark location for cluster headaches is around the eye.

Cluster headaches cause very intense, unilateral pain that is centered around the eye—the orbital or periorbital region. This focal area around one eye is characteristic because the pain typically sits behind or around the eye itself, often with ipsilateral autonomic symptoms like tearing or eyelid droop. The trigeminal nerve’s ophthalmic division supplies this area, which is why the pain is so precisely orbital. Pain in the base of the skull or jaw isn’t the typical pattern for cluster headaches, and while some headaches can involve the temple, the hallmark location for cluster headaches is around the eye.