The pictures and diagrams below show the anatomy of the facial nerve.

   These pictures were submitted by Dr. Kedar

K. Adour, M.D. and drawn by Edith Steadman and K K Adour, M.D.
  
Diagram of the facial nerve and structures it innervates.

 Tearing --  Lacrimal Gland

 Taste -- Anterior 2/3 of the Tongue
 Saliva Production -- Sublingual Gland, Submandibular Gland, 
Nasal and Palatine Gland
 Muscles of Facial Expression
 Stapedius Muscle -- A muscle which helps to protect the ear 
from loud noises.
 Contains a few somatic afferent fibers.
 

Diagram of innervations of the muscles of facial expression.  The facial nerve

exits the stylomastoid foramen and enters the parotid gland.  It then divides into
a lower and upper division and further subdivides into five or more branches.

 Frontalis -- Innervates the Forehead muscles

 Orbicularis Oculi -- Eyelid muscles
 Obicularis Oris  - Lip muscles

  

During ear surgery the facial nerve can be injured.  The nerve travels between
the stapes and lateral semicircular canal, then into the mastoid cavity.  It exits
the mastoid cavity via the stylomastoid foramen and enters the parotid
gland.  Mastoidsurgery (mastoidectomy) to remove cholesteatoma carries a
risk of facial paralysis.

  The picture on the left

  shows the facial nerve 
  in the middle ear cavity.

 
The diagram on the right shows the blood supply of the facial nerve.  
 

  

 
 

Website last updated:  07/26/2009