Bell's Palsy Flashcards
Damage to which nerve causes Bell’s palsy?
Facial Nerve (CN VII)
What are the 5 branches of the facial nerve?
1) temporal
2) zygomatic
3) buccal
4) mandibular
5) cervical
Name 5 muscles/ muscle groups innervated by the facial nerve:
1) facial muscles
2) stapedius muscle (inner ear)
3) posterior digastric
4) stylohyoid
5) platysma
What sensory innervation does the facial nerve supply?
taste to the anterior 2/3 of the tongue
What three glands does the facial nerve provide parasympathetic supply to?
1) submandibular
2) sublingual
3) lacrimal
Fill in the gap: each side of the forehead has upper motor innervation from ____ (both/one) sides of the brain
both
Fill in the gap: each side of the forehead has lower motor innervation from ____ (both/one) sides of the brain
One
True or false: the forehead will be spared in an UMN lesion of the facial nerve
True
True or false: the forehead will be spared in a LMN lesion of the facial nerve
false
Give two causes of UMN lesions in the facial nerve:
1) stroke
2) tumours
What is Bell’s palsy?
idiopathic unilateral lower motor neurone facial nerve palsy
What is thought to be a common cause of Bell’s palsy?
viral infection
Give two presentations associated with Bell’s palsy:
1) drooping of the eye lid (unilateral)
2) loss of the nasolabial fold (unilateral)
What drug may be given in cases of Bell’s palsy?
prednisolone
What is given to prevent the eye from drying out in Bell’s palsy?
lubricating eye drops