Glial fibrillary acidic proteins (GFAP) are a group of intermediate filaments that are distributed in the cytoplasm of glial cells. GFAP immunoreactivity (GFAP-IR) increase after central and peripheral nerve injuries. The purpose of this study was to determine change of GFAP-IR in rat trigeminal ganglion satellite cells following the axotomy of inferior alveolar nerve(IAN). The immunohistochemistry was carried out using the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex(ABC) method. 1. Control group : Astrocytes in central root of trigeminal ganglion had strong GFAP-IR, but satellite cells of trigeminal ganglion occasionally had GFAP-IR. The patterns of reactivity in satellite cells of trigeminal ganglion were not concenturated in any specific region of trigeminal ganglion. 2. Three day group after IAN axotomy : There were highly GFAP-IR in satellite cells of trigeminal ganglion in mandibular region. GFAP-IR in maxillary and ophthalmic regions were less intense compared to mandibular region. 3. Seven day group after IAN axotomy : GFAP-IR that were increased compared to control group were seen in the mandibular region. But GFAP-IR were less intense compared to three day group. These results suggest that GFAP-IR increase in specific region of trigeminal ganglion following peripheral axotomy. therefore we suppose that GFAP study offer research tool in trigeminal neuralgia.