Facial nerve lesion

Question 1

Facial nerve

DEFINE

Answer 1

• facial nerve (the labyrinthine segment) is CN VII.
• emerges from the pons of the brainstem
• The nerves typically travels from the pons through the facial canal in the temporal bone and exits the skull at the stylomastoid foramen.

It arises from the brainstem from an area posterior to the cranial nerve VI (abducens nerve) and anterior to cranial nerve VIII(vestibulocochlear nerve).

Question 2

Facial nerve

Resonsible for:

Answer 2

• CN VII functions: - motor innervation for facial expressions
• taste (anterior 2/3 of tongue), lacrimation,

stapedius muscle (dampens vibrations of stapes

- facial nerve nucleus has
2 areas (for upper & lower face)

-controls the muscles of facial expression

Question 3

Facial nerve lesion

Name 2 types

Answer 3

Central Facial palsy – affects only lower 1/2 of contralateral side part of face shows muscle paralysis

• Peripheral facial palsy* – affects entire face on the ipsilateral side
• this is related to the facial nerve itself

and is called Bell’s pals

Question 4

• *Bell’s palsy*
• Define:*

Answer 4

_*Bell’s palsy:_

• facial drooping, smooth nasolabial fold, lower angle of mouth
• eye is open (pts cannot close the eye – eyeball move up and out when trying to close the eye) - MOTOR problems only