Trigeminal And Facial Nerves

Question 1

What is the course of the Opthalmic Nerve

Answer 1

From Trigeminal ganglion

Exits through superior orbital fissure

Has three branches: Frontal, Nasociliary, Lacrimal

Question 2

What is the course of the Maxillary Nerve

Answer 2

From Trigeminal ganglion

Exits through foramen rotundum

Has 14 terminal branches

Question 3

What is the course of the Mandibular Nerve

Answer 3

From Trigeminal ganglion

Exits through foramen ovale

Question 4

What is the course of the Facial Nerve

Answer 4

1. Motor Cortex
2. Pons
3. Internal Acoustic Meatus
4. Facial Canal (gives rise to Greater Petrosal Nerve, Nerve to Stapedius, Chorda Tympani Nerve)
5. Stylomastoid Foramen
6. Branches (5) to face and neck

Question 5

What are the branches of the Facial nerve

Answer 5

Temporal (occipitofrontalis, sup. orbicularis oculi)
Zygomatic (inf. orbicularis oculi)
Buccal (buccinators, orbicularis oris, zygomaticus)
Marginal Mandibular (mentalis)
Cervical (platysma)

Question 6

How do you examine the facial nerve

Answer 6

Observe symmetry

Ask about taste, hearing, dry eyes, dry mouth

Examine expression against resistance: raise eyebrows; scrunch eyes; puff cheeks; show teeth

Question 7

Give some causes of facial nerve palsy

Answer 7

Non traumatic: Inflammation, infection, compression

Traumatic: fractures, stabbing, gunshots, birth

Iatrogenic: surgery

Question 8

How can you differentiate between stroke and Bell’s Palsy

Answer 8

All muscles of facial expression are affected in Bells

With stroke, occipitofrontalis and orbicularis oculi are spared due to bilateral innervation

Question 9

What are the three main branches of the Trigeminal Nerve

Answer 9

Ophthalmic Branch

Maxillary Branch

Mandibular Branch