Facial Nerve Palsy

Question 1

What characteristic feature does facial nerve palsy present with?

Answer 1

Unilateral facial weakness

Question 2

What are the five branches of the facial nerve?

Answer 2

Temporal

Zygomatic

Buccal

Marginal mandibular

Cervical

Question 3

What does the motor function of the facial nerve control? (3)

Answer 3

Facial expression muscles

Stapedius in inner ear

Some neck muscles e.g stylohyoid

Question 4

What does the sensory function of the facial nerve control? (1)

Answer 4

Taste in anterior 2/3 of tongue

Question 5

What does the parasympathetic function of the facial nerve control? (3)

Answer 5

Submandibular salivary gland

Lacrimal gland (eye)

Sublingual salivary gland

Question 6

In an UMN facial nerve palsy, the forehead will___

Answer 6

Be spared

Question 7

In a LMN facial nerve palsy, the forehead will___

Answer 7

NOT be spared

Question 8

If a patient presents with a UMN facial nerve palsy, what are you most worried about them having which has caused this, as it is life threatening?

Answer 8

Stroke

Question 9

Bell’s palsy is an example of a __ motor neurone facial nerve palsy

Answer 9

Lower

Question 10

What is the primary treatment for Bell’s palsy?

Answer 10

Prednisolone

Question 11

Ramsey Hunt syndrome is an example of a __ motor neurone palsy of the ___ nerve

Answer 11

Lower

Facial

Question 12

2 treatments for Ramsey Hunt syndrome

Answer 12

Prednisolone

Aciclovir

Question 13

What virus causes Ramsey Hunt syndrome?

Answer 13

Varicella zoster virus (VZV)