07a: CN VII

Question 1

Facial nerve arises from (midbrain/pons/cerebellum), crosses (ant/mid/post) cranial fossa, and traverses (X) hole to enter (Y) bone.

Answer 1

Cerebello-pontine angle;
Posterior cranial fossa;
X = internal auditory meatus
Y = temporal

Question 2

Within the temporal bone, CN VII travels within (X) landmark.

Answer 2

X = facial canal

Question 3

Prior to traveling through (X) landmark and giving off its motor branches to face, the (Y) nerve gives off motor branch to (Z) muscle.

Answer 3

X = stylomastoid foramen
Y = facial
Z = stapedius

Question 4

The (external/middle/inner) ear muscle supplied by CN VII is located in wall of (X) and functions to:

Answer 4

Middle;
X = facial canal;
Minimizes motion of footplate in oval window (dampens vibrations)

Question 5

All modalities, except (X), of CN (Y) are called “nervus intermedius” due to their sandwiched position in (Z).

Answer 5

X = SVE
Y = 7
Z = internal auditory meatus (between CN VIII and SVE branches of CN VII)

Question 6

(Greater/lesser/deep) petrosal nerve branches off of nervus intermedius. It escapes through (X) landmark in the wall of (Y).

Answer 6

Greater;
X = hiatus for greater petrosal
Y = facial canal

Question 7

T/F: Most of the facial nerve’s path is within bone.

Answer 7

True

Question 8

Chorda Tympani exits skull through (X) landmark, and enters which space?

Answer 8

X = petrotympanic fissure

Infratemporal fossa

Question 9

Upon exiting hiatus for greater petrosal, the nerve enters (X) space and joins (Y) nerve.

Answer 9

X = middle cranial fossa
Y = deep petrosal (sympathetics)

Question 10

Upon synapsing on (X) ganglion, the greater petrosal parasympathetic branches are distributed to:

Answer 10

X = pterygopalatine

1. Lacrimal gland
2. Nasal mucosa
3. Roof of mouth (mucosa and taste)

Question 11

The (X) branch of facial nerve enters middle ear through (Y) and exits through (Z).

Answer 11

X = chorda tympani
Y = posterior canaliculus (for chorda tympani)
Z = anterior canaliculus (for chorda tympani)

Question 12

As (X) branch of facial nerve courses through middle ear, it’s directly posterior and in close proximity to (Y) structure(s) as it passes over (Z) muscle.

Answer 12

X = chorda tympani
Y = tympanic membrane and malleus bone
Z = tensor tympani

Question 13

T/F: Chorda tympani is the only branch of facial nerve that carries taste fibers.

Answer 13

False - Greater Petrosal also (to roof of mouth)

Question 14

GSA fibers of facial nerve have cell bodies in (X). Within (Y), they intersect/mix with branches from (Z).

Answer 14

X = geniculate ganglion
Y = facial canal
Z = CN X and XI

Question 15

The GSA fibers that overlap to supply posterior ear auricle area travel together and exit via (X). Which CNs are involved?

Answer 15

X = tympanomastoid fissure

CN VII, IX, X