Facial Nerve Branches Anatomy

Facial Nerve Branches

• The temporal branch of the facial nerve innervates muscles in the forehead and around the eyes, contributing to facial expressions.
• The zygomatic branch also plays a role in facial expression, primarily innervating the muscles around the cheek area.
• The buccal branch innervates muscles in the upper lip, lower lip, and buccinator, which assists in chewing and making facial expressions.
• The cervical branch of the facial nerve innervates the platysma muscle, contributing to the movement of the neck and jaw downwards.

Additional Key Structures

• The facial artery supplies blood to various parts of the face, including the superficial regions of the skin and muscles.
• The masseter muscle is a key muscle in mastication (chewing), working to elevate the mandible.
• The facial nerve (Cranial Nerve VII) is responsible for controlling the muscles of facial expression and also provides some taste sensations from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue.
• The mandibular branch of the facial nerve innervates muscles that control movements of the jaw, including the anterior belly of the digastric and mylohyoid muscles.