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Questions and Answers
Where does the facial nerve arise from?
Which branch of the facial nerve innervates the frontalis and orbicularis oculi muscles?
What is the function of the motor branch of the facial nerve?
What is the function of the superior salivatory nucleus?
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Through which foramen does the facial nerve exit the skull?
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Which nerve accompanies the facial nerve through the internal auditory canal?
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What is the function of the chorda tympani nerve?
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What is the function of the lacrimatory nucleus?
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Study Notes
Facial Nerve Anatomy
Course of the Facial Nerve
- The facial nerve (cranial nerve VII) arises from the brainstem at the pontomedullary junction
- It runs through the internal auditory canal, accompanied by the vestibulocochlear nerve (cranial nerve VIII)
- The facial nerve exits the skull through the stylomastoid foramen
Branches of the Facial Nerve
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Motor branch: responsible for controlling facial expressions, salivation, and lacrimation
- Temporal branch: innervates the frontalis and orbicularis oculi muscles
- Zygomatic branch: innervates the orbicularis oculi and zygomaticus major muscles
- Buccal branch: innervates the buccinator and orbicularis oris muscles
- Mandibular branch: innervates the mentalis and depressor anguli oris muscles
- Cervical branch: innervates the platysma muscle
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Sensory branch: responsible for conveying taste and sensation from the tongue and ear
- Chorda tympani nerve: carries taste information from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue
- Nerve to the stapedius: innervates the stapedius muscle in the middle ear
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Parasympathetic branch: responsible for controlling salivation and lacrimation
- Greater petrosal nerve: innervates the lacrimal gland
- Chorda tympani nerve: also carries parasympathetic fibers to the submandibular and sublingual glands
Nuclei of the Facial Nerve
- Motor nucleus: located in the pontine tegmentum, responsible for controlling facial expressions
- Sensory nucleus: located in the solitary tract, responsible for conveying taste and sensation from the tongue and ear
- Superior salivatory nucleus: located in the pontine tegmentum, responsible for controlling salivation
- Lacrimatory nucleus: located in the pontine tegmentum, responsible for controlling lacrimation
Facial Nerve Anatomy
Course of the Facial Nerve
- Arises from the brainstem at the pontomedullary junction
- Runs through the internal auditory canal with the vestibulocochlear nerve (cranial nerve VIII)
- Exits the skull through the stylomastoid foramen
Branches of the Facial Nerve
Motor Branch
- Controls facial expressions, salivation, and lacrimation
- Temporal branch: innervates frontalis and orbicularis oculi muscles
- Zygomatic branch: innervates orbicularis oculi and zygomaticus major muscles
- Buccal branch: innervates buccinator and orbicularis oris muscles
- Mandibular branch: innervates mentalis and depressor anguli oris muscles
- Cervical branch: innervates platysma muscle
Sensory Branch
- Conveys taste and sensation from the tongue and ear
- Chorda tympani nerve: carries taste information from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue
- Nerve to the stapedius: innervates the stapedius muscle in the middle ear
Parasympathetic Branch
- Controls salivation and lacrimation
- Greater petrosal nerve: innervates the lacrimal gland
- Chorda tympani nerve: carries parasympathetic fibers to the submandibular and sublingual glands
Nuclei of the Facial Nerve
Motor Nucleus
- Located in the pontine tegmentum
- Controls facial expressions
Sensory Nucleus
- Located in the solitary tract
- Conveys taste and sensation from the tongue and ear
Superior Salivatory Nucleus
- Located in the pontine tegmentum
- Controls salivation
Lacrimatory Nucleus
- Located in the pontine tegmentum
- Controls lacrimation
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Description
Test your knowledge of the facial nerve's course, branches, and functions. Learn about the anatomy of cranial nerve VII!
