NICKS QUESTIONS Flashcards
Facial nerve pathway, branches and areas of supply.
The facial nerve originates from the pons medulla in the brainstem.
Passes through the internal acoustic meatus to leave the cranial cavity.
Goes through the facial canal in the temporal bone.
Exits the skull through the stylomastoid foramen in the temporal bone.
The greater petrosal nerve arises from the geniculate ganglion and carries pre-ganglionic fibres to the pterygopalatine ganglion, the zygomatic nerve picks up the post-ganglionic fibres and take them to the lacrimal nerve for the lacrimal gland. Provides taste sensation to the palate.
The chorda tympani nerve exits the skulls through the petrotympanic fissure just behind the TMJ. It carries pre- and post ganglionic fibres to the submandibular sublingual salivary glands via the submandibular ganglion.
Provides taste sensation to the body of the tongue.
Five motor branches-
Temporal branch- posterior orbicularis oculi.
Zygomatic branch- zygomatic major.
Buccal branch- buccinator.
Cervical branch- platysma,
Facial nerve disorder
Bells palsy-
Rapid facial paralysis, usually lasts 2 weeks to several months.
Cause is unknown.
Could be due to inflammation or viral infection.
Treatment- anti-inflammatory corticosteroids or anti-viral drugs or physical therapy.
Cause and formation of caries.
Must have tooth, correct bacteria, diet.
4 virulence factors of mutans streptococcus-
Extracellular polysaccharide production- adhesian.
Carbohydrate fermentation- ferment to lactic acid.
Aciduric- Mutans streptococci can live in acidic environment, below the critical PH level of 5.5.
Intracellular polysaccharide storage- mutans streptococci can live without the host feeding it.
Below the PH of 5.5 the risk of dental caries increases.
Name 2 structures of the diencephalon and briefly describe their function.
Thalamus- relay centre for incoming sensory impulses from the spinal cord, brainstem and cerebellum before they travel to the cerebral cortex.
Epithalamus- contains pineal gland that regulates biological clock and produces melatonin.
Name 2 structures of the brainstem and briefly describe their function.
Pons- Provides reflex centres for the trigeminal nerve and facial nerve.
Midbrain- Contains auditory and visual centres and clusters of neurons involved in muscular control.
