CN VII: FACIAL NERVE Idham Hafize Supi1090033 Nurmarzura Abdul Latif1090045.

CN VII: FACIAL NERVE

Idham Hafize Supi 1090033

Nurmarzura Abdul Latif 1090045

Introduction The facial nerve is the seventh cranial nerve,

or simply cranial nerve VII.

It emerges from the brainstem between the pons and the medulla, and controls the muscles of facial expression, and functions in the conveyance of taste sensations from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue and oral cavity.

It also supplies preganglionic parasymphatetic fibers to several head and neck ganglia

Anatomy The motor part of the facial nerve arises from the facial nerve

nucleus in the pons while the sensory and parasympathetic parts of the facial nerve arise from the nervus intermedius.

The facial nerve eventually exits via the stylomastoid foramen to enter into the parotid where it branches into its peripheral segments.

The motor part and sensory part of the facial nerve enters the petrous temporal bone via the internal auditory meatus (intimately close to the inner ear) then runs a tortuous course (including two tight turns) through the facial canal, emerges from the stylomastoid foramen and passes through the parotid gland, where it divides into five major branches. Though it passes through the parotid gland, it does not innervate the gland.

The facial nerve forms the geniculate ganglion within the facial canal at the genu, the first bend in the canal.

Intracranial branches

Greater petrosal nerve - provides parasympathetic innervation to several glands, including the nasal gland, palatine gland, lacrimal gland, and pharyngeal gland. It also provides parasympathetic innervation to the sphenoid sinus, frontal sinus, maxillary sinus, ethmoid sinus and nasal cavity.

Nerve to stapedius - provides motor innervation for stapedius muscle in middle ear.

Chorda tympani Submandibular gland Sublingual gland Special sensory taste fibers for the anterior 2/3 of the

tongue.

Extracranial branchesDistal to stylomastoid foramen, the following nerves branch off

the facial n:

Posterior auricular nerve - controls movements of some of the scalp muscles around the ear

Branch to Posterior belly of Digastric muscle as well as the Stylohyoid muscle

Five major facial branches (in parotid gland) - from top to bottom (Tolong Zip Baju Makcik Cepat): Temporal branch of the facial nerve Zygomatic branch of the facial nerve Buccal branch of the facial nerve Marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve Cervical branch of the facial nerve

FunctionsFunctions Description

1. Facial expression

It is by motor control of most of the muscles of facial expression. It also innervates the posterior belly of the digastric muscle, stylohyoid muscle, and stapedius muscle of the middle ear.

2. Facial sensation

It receives taste sensations from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue via the chorda tympani.General sensation from the anterior two-thirds of tongue are supplied by afferent fibers of the third division of the fifth cranial nerve (V-3). The facial nerve also supplies a small amount of afferent innervation to the oropharynx below the palatine tonsil.There is also a small amount of cutaneous sensation carried by the nervus intermedius from the skin in and around the auricle (outer ear).

Function Other

The facial nerve also supplies parasympathetic fibers to the submandibular gland and sublingual glands via chorda tympani. Parasympathetic innervation serves to increase the flow of saliva from these glands. It also supplies parasympathetic innervation to the nasal mucosa and the lacrimal gland via the pterygopalatine ganglion.

The facial nerve also functions as the efferent limb of the corneal reflex.

Clinical examination Motor:-muscle of facial expression

This nerve is therefore tested by asking the patient to crease up their forehead (raise their eyebrows), close their eyes and keep them closed against resistance, puff out their cheeks and reveal their teeth.

Sensory:-taste The four primary tastes are bitter, sweet, sour, and salty.

Screen for disorders of sweet or salty taste with salt and sugar.

With the patient's eyes closed and tongue protruded, take a tongue blade and smear a small amount of salt or sugar on the lateral surface and side of the tongue.

Instruct the patient to tell you the identity of the substance. Rinse the mouth thoroughly and repeat the test on the other side, using a different substance.

Abnormalities:- Intracranial lesions Intracranial lesions occur during the intracranial course of the facial

nerve (proximal to the stylomastoid foramen).

The muscles of facial expression will be paralysed or severely weakened. 

The other symptoms produced depend on the location of the lesion, and the branches that are affected:

Chorda tympani – reduced salivation and loss of taste on the ipsilateral 2/3 of the tongue.

Nerve to stapedius – ipsilateral hyperacusis (hypersensitive to sound). Greater petrosal nerve –  ipsilateral reduced lacrimal fluid production.

The most common cause of an intracranial lesion of the facial nerve is middle ear pathology – such as a tumour or infection. If no definitive cause can be found, the disease is termed Bell’s palsy.

Extracranial lesions Extracranial lesions occur during the extracranial course of

the facial nerve (distal to the stylomastoid foramen).

Only the motor function of the facial nerve is affected, resulting in paralysis or severe weakness of the muscles of facial expression.

There are various causes of extracranial lesions of the facial nerve: Parotid gland pathology – e.g a tumour. Infection of the nerve  - particularly by the herpes virus. Compression during forceps delivery – the neonatal mastoid

process is not fully developed, and does not provide complete protection of the nerve.

Ideopathic – If no definitive cause can be found, the disease is termed Bell’s palsy.