Facial Nerve: Emerges on anterior surface of hindbrain b/w pons & medulla oblongata , Roots

pass laterally in PCF with vestibuli cochlear nerve and enters the internal acoustic meatus , At
bottom on meatus , nerve enters the facial canal that runs laterally through inner ear, on reaching
medial wall of middle ear(tympanic cavity) nerve swells to form sensory geniculate ganglion , it
emerges from temporal bone through stylomastoid foramen , facial nerve now passes forward
through parotid gland to its distribution .
Within facial canal 3 important events occur, firstly two roots fuse to form facial nerve, then
nerve form geniculate ganglion , then give rise to greater petrosal nerve.
Important Branches: Greater petrosal nerve arises from nerve at geniculate ganglion, it
contains preganglionic parasympathetic fibers that synapse in pterygopalatine ganglion , the post
ganglionic fibers are secretomotor to lacrimal gland and glands of nose, palate .
Nerve to Stapedius : innervates the stapedius muscle in middle ear, Chorda Tympani arises
from the facial nerve in facial canal , it contains secretomotor fibers to the submandibular &
sublingual salivary glands.
Extracranial : motor root of facial nerve continues anterior and inferiorly into parotid
gland ,facial nerve turns superiorly and interior to outer ear.
Extracranial branches & Motor Functions
Nerve to Stapedius: passes through pyramidal eminence to supply Stapedius muscle in middle
ear.
1.Posterior Auricular Nerve: Ascends in front of Mastoid process , innervates extrinsic &
intrinsic muscles of outer ear
2. Nerve to Digastric Muscle Posterior Belly: innervates belly of neck digastric muscle
3. Nerve to Stylohyoid muscle: innervates Stylohyoid neck muscle , raises hyoid bone
Facial Nerve lies within the parotid salivary gland after leaving Stylomastoid Foramen, Its
located b/w Superficial & deep parts of gland, here it gives terminal branches that emerges from
anterior border of gland and pass to muscle of face & scalp , thus facial nerve controls:
expression, salivation, lacrimation
1.Temporal Branch: It emerges from the main trunk of the facial nerve within the parotid gland
and innervates the muscles responsible for facial expression, specifically those around the eye
and forehead. These muscles include the frontalis, orbicularis oculi, and corrugator supercilii.
Damage to the temporal branch can result in weakness or paralysis of these muscles, leading to
difficulty in closing the eye, raising the eyebrow, and wrinkling the forehead.
2. Zygomatic : It originates within the parotid gland and travels towards the zygomatic bone,
where it innervates the muscles of the upper cheek area. These muscles include the zygomaticus
major and zygomaticus minor, which are responsible for raising the corners of the mouth and
smiling. Damage to the zygomatic branch can result in weakness or paralysis of these muscles,
leading to difficulties in smiling or expressing emotions in the upper cheek area.
3. Buccal : It emerges from the main trunk of the facial nerve within the parotid gland and
travels along the cheek region (buccal area), supplying motor innervation to the muscles of facial
expression in that region. These muscles include the buccinator muscle, which is involved in
sucking, blowing, and keeping food between the teeth during chewing, as well as other muscles
in the cheek area.
4. Mandibular also known as the V3 branch of the trigeminal nerve (cranial nerve V), It is
responsible for sensory innervation to the lower face, including the jaw, lower teeth, lower lip,
and chin, as well as motor innervation to the muscles of mastication (chewing).The mandibular
nerve exits the skull through the foramen ovale and divides into several branches:
Anterior division: This division gives rise to branches such as the buccal nerve, which innervates
the cheek area, and the nerve to the masseter, which supplies motor fibers to the masseter
muscle.
Posterior division: This division includes branches like the auriculotemporal nerve, which
provides sensory innervation to the temporomandibular joint and the skin of the temple area, and
the inferior alveolar nerve, which supplies sensation to the lower teeth, chin, and lower lip.
The mandibular nerve also gives off other branches that innervate various structures in the head
and neck region, such as the lingual nerve, which provides sensory innervation to the anterior
two-thirds of the tongue.
5. Cervical: Also known as the cervical cutaneous nerve, is a branch of the facial nerve (cranial
nerve VII). It emerges from the main trunk of the facial nerve within the parotid gland and
travels downwards into the neck region.The cervical branch provides sensory innervation to the
skin of the neck and upper chest area, particularly the region just below the angle of the jaw and
along the side of the neck. It also contributes to innervating certain muscles in the neck, such as
the platysma muscle, which is involved in facial expression and neck movements. Damage to the
cervical branch can lead to sensory deficits in the affected areas of the neck and upper chest, as
well as weakness or paralysis of the platysma muscle, resulting in changes in facial expression
and neck movement