L6 Face & Scalp

A fibrous membrane that lies deep to the subcutaneous fat and superficial to the muscles of facial expression. It forms a network that supports and anchors the facial muscles.

The layer of skin that covers the face and scalp. It is composed of the epidermis and dermis.

The fatty tissue found beneath the skin. It helps insulate the body and provides cushioning for the muscles and nerves.

The layer of fascia that covers the parotid gland and masseter muscle. It lies deep to the SMAS

A deep fascia that surrounds the muscles of mastication and lies deep to the buccal fat pad.

A passage through the temporal bone that the internal carotid artery travels through.

An opening within the sphenoid bone that allows the passage of the internal carotid artery.

An opening within the sphenoid bone that allows the passage of the maxillary nerve, zygomatic nerve, and infraorbital artery.

A small canal through the sphenoid bone that the maxillary nerve and the pterygoid branches of the maxillary artery pass through.

A small communication within the sphenoid bone that transmits the greater and lesser petrosal nerves, which connect the pterygopalatine ganglion to the facial, glossopharyngeal, and vagus nerves.

A small, bony projection located at the bottom of the nasal septum, where the vomer and perpendicular plate join. It appears as a small bony bump seen on a lateral nasal view.

A nerve related to the maxillary nerve, it travels along the base of the skull to the foramen ovale.

A pair of nerves that branch from the maxillary nerve (part of CN V) and pass through the sphenopalatine foramen into the nasal cavity. They provide sensory innervation of the nasal cavity, palate and the roof of the mouth.

Paralysis of facial muscles on one side of the face due to a problem with the facial nerve itself (LMNL). This is the most common type of facial nerve palsy.

A type of facial nerve palsy caused by a lesion (damage) to the upper motor neurons (UMN) in the brain. This usually affects the lower part of the face on the opposite side of the lesion, but the upper face (forehead) is spared due to bilateral innervation.

The facial nerve (cranial nerve VII) carries motor fibers to the muscles of facial expression. It also contains sensory fibers for taste (from the anterior tongue) and autonomic fibers for salivation and lacrimation.

The ability to taste, especially in the anterior part of the tongue, is affected due to damage to the chorda tympani nerve, a branch of the facial nerve.

Excessive sensitivity to sound, often due to damage to the nerve that controls the stapedius muscle in the middle ear.

Decreased production of tears, often due to damage to the greater petrosal nerve, a branch of the facial nerve.

Decreased production of saliva, often due to damage to the chorda tympani nerve, a branch of the facial nerve.

Damage to the lower motor neuron (LMNL) of the facial nerve leads to weakness or paralysis of the facial muscles on the same side as the lesion.

The facial nerve (VII) innervates the muscles of facial expression, as well as sensory fibers for taste and the lacrimal gland. The nerve travels through the temporal bone, exits the skull through the stylomastoid foramen, and branches out to different parts of the face.

Branches of the facial nerve that supply the muscles around the mouth and cheeks.

Branches of the facial nerve that supply muscles around the jawline and chin.

Branches of the facial nerve that supply muscles in the neck and the posterior belly of the digastric muscle.

This ganglion is a cluster of nerve cells that relays signals from the facial nerve to the submandibular and sublingual glands.

A branch of the facial nerve (CN VII) that carries taste fibers from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue.

A small opening in the temporal bone that allows the chorda tympani nerve to enter the middle ear.

A branch of the trigeminal nerve (CN V) that carries sensory information from the hard palate and part of the nasal mucosa.

The posterior branch of the facial nerve that supplies the stylohoid and posterior belly of the digastric muscles.

A branch of the facial nerve that provides motor innervation to the muscles of facial expression, anterior belly of the digastric muscle, and stylohoid muscle.

A branch of the facial nerve that supplies the muscles of the upper lip, cheek, and nose.

A branch of the facial nerve that innervates the muscles of the lower lip, chin, and platysma.

The facial nerve (CN VII) is responsible for controlling the muscles of facial expression, sensory innervation for taste, and autonomic function related to saliva production and tear production. It travels through the temporal bone and exits through the stylomastoid foramen.

A small canal through the sphenoid bone that the maxillary nerve and the pterygoid branches of the maxillary artery pass through.

The nerve of the sphenopalatine foramen, also known as the nasopalatine nerve, is a branch of the maxillary nerve (CN V) that supplies sensory innervation to the nasal cavity, palate, and roof of the mouth.

The lateral nasal nerves are branches of the maxillary nerve that provide sensory innervation to the lateral wall of the nasal cavity.

The acoustic meatus is a canal in the temporal bone that transmits sound waves from the external ear to the middle ear.

The stapedius muscle is a small muscle in the middle ear that helps to regulate the movement of the stapes and dampens sound.

The supraorbital nerve (V1) is a branch of the ophthalmic nerve and serves the skin of the upper face, scalp, superior orbit, and external nose.

The infraorbital nerve (V2) is a branch of the maxillary nerve and provides sensory innervation to the skin of the anterior temple, midface, inferolateral orbit, and some internal nose.

The mental nerve (V3) is a branch of the mandibular nerve and provides sensory innervation to the skin of the chin and lower lip.

The auriculotemporal nerve (V3) provides sensory innervation to the skin of the temple, ear, and cheek.

The trigeminal ganglion is a collection of nerve cell bodies located in Meckel's Cave, a space formed by cranial dura. It receives sensory information from the face and then sends this information to the brain.

The trigeminal nerve (CN V) has three branches: ophthalmic (V1), maxillary (V2), and mandibular (V3). These branches provide sensory innervation to the face, scalp, and teeth.

The sensory root of the trigeminal nerve carries sensory information from the trigeminal ganglion to the brain stem.

The branches of the trigeminal nerve converge on and synapse at the trigeminal ganglion, which is a cluster of nerve cell bodies located in Meckel's Cave.

A normal reflex where the eye rolls upwards and outwards when attempting to close the eye.

The superior ophthalmic vein drains blood from the eye, superior orbit, ethmoidal cells, and forehead. It travels through the superior optic fissure and connects to the cavernous sinus.

The inferior ophthalmic vein collects blood from the face and inferior orbit. It may join the superior ophthalmic vein, potentially forming a pathway for infection.

A network of veins located in the pterygopalatine fossa. It receives blood from the facial vein, deep facial vein, andpterygoid plexus.

The cavernous sinus is a large venous sinus located at the base of the skull, near the pituitary gland. It can be a pathway for infections to spread from the face to the brain.

The facial vein drains most of the superficial face. It connects to the pterygoid plexus and the internal jugular vein.

A dangerous area of the face where infections can quickly spread to the cavernous sinus via the facial vein.

The retromandibular vein is a major deep vein of the face. It is formed by the union of the superficial temporal and maxillary veins.

The deep facial vein is a deep vein that connects the pterygoid plexus to the facial vein. It plays a part in draining blood from the maxillary region.

A branch of the facial nerve (CN VII) that carries taste fibers from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue. It plays a crucial role in taste perception.

The supraorbital nerve (V1) is a branch of the ophthalmic nerve, providing sensory innervation to the skin of the upper face, scalp, superior orbit, and external nose.

The infraorbital nerve (V2) is a branch of the maxillary nerve, responsible for sensory innervation to the skin of the anterior temple, midface, inferolateral orbit, and part of the internal nose.

The mental nerve (V3) is a branch of the mandibular nerve, providing sensory innervation to the skin of the chin and lower lip.

The auriculotemporal nerve (V3) is a branch of the mandibular nerve, serving the sensory innervation of the skin of the temple, ear, and cheek.

The trigeminal ganglion is a cluster of nerve cell bodies located in Meckel's Cave, a space formed by cranial dura. It receives sensory information from the face and sends it to the brain.

A potential space located between the periosteum and epicranial aponeurosis of the scalp.

A collection of blood within the subgaleal space caused by a rupture of emissary veins, often due to scalp injuries or birth trauma.

The three branches of the trigeminal nerve: ophthalmic (V1), maxillary (V2), and mandibular (V3) providing sensory innervation to the face, scalp, and teeth.

Areas of skin supplied by a specific spinal nerve. Dermatomes of the face are primarily defined by the branches of the trigeminal nerve.

The trigeminal nerve is responsible for both motor control of the muscles of mastication and sensory innervation of the face.

A cluster of nerve cell bodies located in Meckel's Cave, responsible for receiving sensory information from the face and relaying it to the brain.

The superior ophthalmic vein drains blood from the eye, superior orbit, ethmoidal cells, and forehead. It travels through the superior optic fissure and connects to the cavernous sinus.

The inferior ophthalmic vein collects blood from the face and inferior orbit. It may join the superior ophthalmic vein, which could create a pathway for infection.

The pterygoid plexus is a network of veins located in the pterygopalatine fossa. It receives blood from the facial vein, deep facial vein, and pterygoid plexus. It is a danger area for infections.

The cavernous sinus is a large venous sinus located at the base of the skull, near the pituitary gland. It is important to know that infections can spread from the face to the brain through the cavernous sinus.

The facial vein drains most of the superficial face. It connects to the pterygoid plexus and the internal jugular vein.

The Danger Triangle of the face is an area where infections can quickly spread to the cavernous sinus via the facial vein.

The retromandibular vein is a major deep vein of the face. It is formed by the union of the superficial temporal and maxillary veins.

The deep facial vein is a deep vein that connects the pterygoid plexus to the facial vein. It plays a part in draining blood from the maxillary region.