Unit III: Bulk Of Cranial Nerve VII

Question 0

What is the apparent origin of the facial nerve?

Answer 0

Laterally in sulcus between pons and medulla oblongata (inferior pontine sulcus)

Question 1

Postganglionic fibers of the facial nerve supply what glands?

Answer 1

Lacrimal, submandibular, and sublingual glands & small glands in the oral and nasal cavities

Question 2

Before exiting the CNS, what unique path do fibers from the motor nucleus of the facial nerve travel?

Answer 2

Posteriorly and then arch around the abducens nucleus

Question 3

What root of the facial nerve carries sensory and parasympathetic fibers?

Answer 3

Intermediate nerve

Question 4

What are the two roots present at the apparent origin of the facial nerve?

Answer 4

Motor root and intermediate nerve

Question 5

Upon leaving the CNS, what is the pathway for both roots of the facial nerve?

Answer 5

Enter the internal acoustic meatus of the petrous part of the temporal bone

Question 6

In which opening does the greater petrosal nerve reenter the petrous part of the temporal bone?

Answer 6

Foramen lacerum

Question 7

The greater petrosal nerve carries preganglionic parasympathetic fibers that stimulate secretions of what glands?

Answer 7

Lacrimal, nasal, and palatal glands

Question 8

What are other names for the greater petrosal nerve?

Answer 8

Nerve of pterygoid canal, superficial petrosal nerve

Question 9

From where does the greater petrosal nerve come off?

Answer 9

Geniculate ganglion

Question 10

What supplies the stapedius muscle?

Answer 10

Nerve to the stapedius (second nerve given off of the facial nerve)

Question 11

What is the action of the stapedius muscle?

Answer 11

Stabilizes the stapes therefore providing protection from loud noises, including our own voices

Question 12

What branch of the facial nerve carries preganglionic parasympathetic fibers and taste fibers?

Answer 12

Chorda tympani

Question 13

Through what opening does the chorda tympani leave the temporal bone?

Answer 13

Pterygotympanic fissure

Question 14

From the pterygotympanic fissure, the chorda tympani joins what other nerve?

Answer 14

Lingual nerve from the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve

Question 15

Other motor and somatosensory fibers that don’t travel with the main branches of the facial nerve exit the temporal bone through which opening?

Answer 15

Stylomastoid foramen

Question 16

What are the three branches of the facial nerve given off before the nerve enters the parotid gland?

Answer 16

Digastric branch, stylohyoid branch, posterior auricular nerve

Question 17

What does the digastric branch supply?

Answer 17

Posterior belly of the digastric muscle

Question 18

What does the stylohyoid branch supply?

Answer 18

Stylohyoid muscle

Question 19

What does the occipital branch of the posterior auricular nerve supply?

Answer 19

Occipital muscle

Question 20

What does the auricular branch of the posterior auricular nerve supply?

Answer 20

Posterior auricular muscle and intrinsic muscles of the anterior part of ear

Question 21

What are the five major fibers of the parotid plexus?

Answer 21

Temporal, zygomatic, buccal, marginal mandibular, and cervical branches

Question 22

Are the five branches of the parotid plexus motor or sensory?

Answer 22

Motor (responsible for muscles of facial expression)

Question 23

What does the temporal branch of the parotid plexus supply?

Answer 23

Intrinsic auricular muscles, also the superior and anterior auricular muscles (extrinsic ones)

Question 24

With V2 and V3, what muscles do the temporal branches of the parotid plexus supply?

Answer 24

Orbicularis oculi, corrugator supercilii, and frontal belly of the occipitofrontalis

Question 25

What muscles are supplied by the buccal branches of the parotid plexus?

Answer 25

Buccinator, orbicularis oris, levator anguli oris

Question 26

What muscles are supplied by the marginal mandibular branches of the parotid plexus?

Answer 26

Risorius, muscles of the chin and lower lip

Question 27

The marginal mandibular branch of the parotid plexus may join what other nerve?

Answer 27

Mental nerve

Question 28

What does the cervical branch of the parotid plexus supply?

Answer 28

Platysma

Question 29

What are the two trunks called that the facial nerve splits into to give off the five branches of the parotid plexus?

Answer 29

Temporofacial and cervicofacial

Question 30

What is the smallest muscle in the body?

Answer 30

Stapedius

Question 31

What are the only motor fibers to leave the facial nerve within the facial canal?

Answer 31

Nerve to stapedius

Question 32

Bell’s palsy is a condition involving dysfunction of which cranial nerve?

Answer 32

Facial nerve (cranial nerve VII)

Question 33

What is the condition involving paralysis of cranial nerve VII?

Answer 33

Bell’s palsy

Question 34

What is the term for the removal of the parotid gland while keeping the branches of the facial nerve intact?

Answer 34

Superficial parotidectomy

Question 35

Is Bell’s palsy a permanent condition?

Answer 35

No; patients tend to resolve in weeks or months