what cranial nerves course through the face

by Ms. Adela Tillman 8 min read

The facial nerve is the seventh cranial nerve (CN VII). It arises from the brain stem and extends posteriorly to the abducens nerve and anteriorly to the vestibulocochlear nerve.

The facial nerve is the 7th cranial nerve and carries nerve fibers that control facial movement and expression. The facial nerve also carries nerves that are involved in taste to the anterior 2/3 of the tongue and producing tears (lacrimal gland).

Full Answer

What are the 7 cranial nerves?

Jun 19, 2013 · Course: the facial nerve forms at the lateral surface of the brainstem at the pontomedullary junction along with CN VIII. Both CN VII and VIII course laterally to the internal auditory meatus. (see the image to the right for the relationship of the nerves in the IAC).

How to conduct a cranial nerve examination?

The cranial nerves are a set of 12 paired nerves in the back of your brain. Cranial nerves send electrical signals between your brain, face, neck and torso. Your cranial nerves help you taste, smell, hear and feel sensations. They also help you make facial expressions, blink your eyes and move your tongue.

What muscles are innervated by facial nerve?

Sep 04, 2013 · Anatomically, the course of the facial nerve can be divided into two parts: Intracranial – the course of the nerve through the cranial cavity, and the cranium itself. Extracranial – the course of the nerve outside the cranium, through the face and neck. Intracranial. The nerve arises in the pons, an area of the brainstem.

Can facial nerves regenerate?

Jul 31, 2021 · The facial nerve is the seventh cranial nerve (CN VII). It arises from the brain stem and extends posteriorly to the abducens nerve and anteriorly to the vestibulocochlear nerve. It courses through the facial canal in the temporal bone and exits through the stylomastoid foramen after which it divides into terminal branches at the posterior edge of the parotid gland.

Which cranial nerves affect the face?

The trigeminal nerve is one set of the cranial nerves in the head. It is the nerve responsible for providing sensation to the face. One trigeminal nerve runs to the right side of the head, while the other runs to the left. Each of these nerves has three distinct branches.

What nerves run through the face?

Facial nerve (CN VII), which provides motor innervation to the muscles of the face. Trigeminal nerve (CN V), which provides sensory innervation to the face via its ophthalmic division (CN V1), maxillary division (CN V2) and mandibular division (CN V3) The cervical plexus, which provides innervation to the scalp.

What are the 12 cranial nerve?

In higher vertebrates (reptiles, birds, mammals) there are 12 pairs of cranial nerves: olfactory (CN I), optic (CN II), oculomotor (CN III), trochlear (CN IV), trigeminal (CN V), abducent (or abducens; CN VI), facial (CN VII), vestibulocochlear (CN VIII), glossopharyngeal (CN IX), vagus (CN X), accessory (CN XI), and ...

Where is the 5th cranial nerve located?

Each trigeminal ganglion is located near your temple at the side of your head, in front of your ear. The trigeminal ganglion splits into three trigeminal nerve branches. These branches travel along each side of your head to different parts of your face.Jun 14, 2021

Which nerve enters the cavernous sinus?

V2 - Maxillary Nerve: from meckel's cave, the nerve pierce the dura to enter the cavernous sinus and leaves the cranium via the foramen rotundum into the pterygopalatine fossa and gives off the infraorbital nerve, zygomatic nerve, nasopalatine nerve, superior alveolar nerves, palatine nerves, and pharyngeal nerve.

What nerve enters the nasal cavity?

Nasopalatine nerve: Course: from the pterygopalatine fossa, the nasopalatine nerve enters the nasal cavity via the sphenopalatine foramen.

Which nerve enters the orbit between the two heads of the lateral rectus muscles?

Nasociliary nerve : Course: enters the orbit between the two heads of the lateral rectus muscles and between the superior and inferior rami of the oculomotor nerve. Runs medially through the orbit and continues anteriorly along the medial wall of the orbit. Branches: (PLICA mneumonic)

What is the result of blunt head trauma?

Lateral blunt head trauma may result in epidural hematoma secondary to middle meningeal artery rupture. Herniation of the brain can causes direct pressure on the oculomotor nerve

Where does the middle superior alveolar nerve run?

Middle superior alveolar nerve branches from the infraorbital nerve into the maxillary sinus and runs along the wall of the maxillary sinus (innervating the maxillary sinus mucosa) to reach the maxillary dental roots of the pre-molars.

Which nerve passes through the anterior ethmoidal foramen?

Anterior ethmoidal nerv e - passes through anterior ethmoidal foramen, provides sensory innervation to anterior ethmoid sinus mucosa, continues back into the cranium via the cribiform plate and returns to the nasal cavity through the nasal slit to provide sensory innervation to the superior nasal septum. Frontal nerve:

Which plexus of the oculomotor carries fibers from the peri-carotid

Oculomotor carries fibers from the peri-carotid sympathetic plexus of nerves which supply superior tarsal (Mueller's) muscles

Overview

A number of cranial nerves send electrical signals between your brain and different parts of your neck, head and torso. These signals help you smell, taste, hear and move your facial muscles.

Function

Your cranial nerves play a role in controlling your sensations and motor skills.

Anatomy

Two of your cranial nerve pairs originate in your cerebrum. The cerebrum is the largest portion of your brain that sits above your brainstem. These two pairs of cranial nerves include:

Conditions and Disorders

Some conditions or injuries can damage parts of the brain where cranial nerves are located. In some cases, a condition may damage only one cranial nerve. Trauma or surgery could injure or sever a nerve.

Care

You can keep your brain, cranial nerves and entire nervous system healthier with a few lifestyle changes. You can:

What is the course of the facial nerve?

The course of the facial nerve is very complex. There are many branches, which transmit a combination of sensory, motor and parasympathetic fibres. Anatomically, the course of the facial nerve can be divided into two parts: Intracranial – the course of the nerve through the cranial cavity, and the cranium itself.

Where does the facial nerve run after exiting the skull?

After exiting the skull, the facial nerve turns superiorly to run just anterior to the outer ear.

What causes facial expression to be paralyzed?

Only the motor function of the facial nerve is affected, therefore resulting in paralysis or severe weakness of the muscles of facial expression. There are various causes of extracranial lesions of the facial nerve: Parotid gland pathology – e.g a tumour, parotitis, surgery.

How many branches does the parotid nerve have?

Within the parotid gland, the nerve terminates by splitting into five branches:

Where does the chorda tympani go?

The nerve arises in the facial canal, and travels across the bones of the middle ear, exiting via the petrotympanic fissure, and entering the infratemporal fossa . Here, the chorda tympani ‘hitchhikes’ with the lingual nerve. The parasympathetic fibres of the chorda tympani stay with the lingual nerve, but the main body of the nerve leaves to innervate the anterior 2/3 of the tongue.

Which nerve exits the facial canal?

Nerve to stapedius – motor fibres to stapedius muscle of the middle ear. Chorda tympani – special sensory fibres to the anterior 2/3 tongue and parasympathetic fibres to the submandibular and sublingual glands. The facial nerve then exits the facial canal (and the cranium) via the stylomastoid foramen .

Which gland is responsible for innervating facial muscles?

Within the parotid gland, the facial nerve terminates by bifurcating into five motor branches. These innervate the muscles of facial expression:

What is the facial nerve?

Introduction. The facial nerve is the seventh cranial nerve (CN VII). It arises from the brain stem and extends posteriorly to the abducens nerve and anteriorly to the vestibulocochlear nerve. It courses through the facial canal in the temporal bone and exits through the stylomastoid foramen after which it divides into terminal branches at ...

What are the two parts of the facial nerve?

It consists of two parts: a proper facial nerve and the intermediate nerve. The proper facial nervecontains only a motor component and a very small general somatic afferent component, whereas the intermediate nervecarries sensory and parasympathetic visceromotor components.

What nerve innervates the facial muscles?

As stated, the facial nerve innervates the following: 1 The muscles of facial expression – responsible for the expression of emotions by changing facial expression 2 The stylohyoid muscle – draws the hyoid bone backward, which initiates a swallowing action and elevates the tongue 3 The posterior belly of the digastric muscle – together with the anterior belly of the digastric muscle, elevates  the hyoid bone and is involved in any complex movements involving the jaw 4 The stapedius muscle of the middle ear – stabilizes the stapes, preventing excessive movement in response to loud sounds

Where does the chorda tympani synapses travel?

The chorda tympani synapses in the submandibular ganglion and later with GVE travels as the lingual nerve, a branch of the mandibular nerve. The lingual nerve reaches the submandibular and sublingual glands where the GVE fibers cause vasodilation and stimulate secretion. GVE preganglionic neurons are located in the superior salivatory nucleus in the brain stem.

Which muscle is innervated by the second branchial arch?

The second branchial arch also produces the muscles of the face, the occipitofrontalis muscle, the platysma, the stylohyoid muscle, the posterior belly of the digastric muscle, the stapedius muscle , and the auricular muscles, all of which are innervated by CN VII. [1] Nerves. The facial nerve exits the brain stem from its ventrolateral surface ...

How is the corneal reflex tested?

The corneal reflexis tested by stimulating the cornea with a wisp of cotton. It results in the reflex closure of both eyelids. The afferent limb of this reflex is mediated by the trigeminal nerve, and the efferent limb is mediated by the facial nerve.

Which nerve carries descending parasympathetic GVE fibers from the superior salivatory nucleus?

The intermediate nerve carries descending parasympathetic GVE fibers from the superior salivatory nucleus and ascending GVA, GSA, and SVA fibers from the geniculate ganglion.

What are the cranial nerves?

What are Cranial Nerves? “Nerves that extend throughout the body on both sides emerging directly from brain and brain stem are called cranial nerves.”. Cranial nerves carry information from the brain to other parts of the body, primarily to the head and neck. These nerves are paired and present on both sides of the body.

Which system is the cranial nerve in?

Most of the cranial nerves belong to the somatic system. Some of the cranial nerves are responsible for sensory and motor functions as they contain only sensory fibres ...

What nerve is responsible for balance?

Vestibulocochlear nerve (auditory vestibular nerve): Vestibulocochlear (auditory vestibular nerve) is responsible for hearing and balance. This helps eyes to keep track of moving objects while your head is stable. The sensation of spinning and dizziness are the symptoms of damage to this nerve. This nerve branches into the vestibular nerve and cochlear nerve.

What nerves help with double vision?

Damage to this nerve leads to distortion in vision or double vision and even problem in the coordination of eyes. Trochlear and Abducens nerves: These nerves also help in eye movement. Damage to the Trochlear nerve might cause inability to move eyeball downwards and damage to abducens nerve might result in diplopia.

What are the functions of cranial nerves?

Functions of Cranial Nerves. Following is the cranial nerves list along with the important functions they perform: Olfactory nerve: This nerve helps to feel the sense of smell. This is the primary nerve that is responsible for the smell. Damage to this nerve may result in distortion of smell and taste.

Why are cranial nerves mixed?

Others are mixed nerves because they include both sensory and motor fibres. Only cranial nerves I and II are purely sensory and are responsible for the sense of smell and vision (optic nerve II). The rest of the cranial nerves contain both afferent and efferent fibres and are therefore referred to as the mixed cranial nerves.

What nerve is responsible for the sensation of spinning?

The sensation of spinning and dizziness are the symptoms of damage to this nerve. This nerve branches into the vestibular nerve and cochlear nerve. Glossopharyngeal: Oral sensation and sense of taste are stimulated by this nerve. Damage to this nerve disables the sense of taste.

Where do the cranial nerves come from?

Cranial nerves are the nerves that emerge directly from the brain (including the brainstem). In contrast, spinal nerves emerge from segments of the spinal cord. Cranial nerves relay information between the brain and parts of the body, primarily to and from regions of the head and neck.

What are the functions of the cranial nerves?

The cranial nerves serve functions such as smell, sight, eye movement, and feeling in the face. The cranial nerves also control balance, hearing, and swallowing.

How many components are there in the glossopharyngeal nerve?

The glossopharyngeal nerve consists of five components with distinct functions:

Where does the abducens nerve exit?

The abducens nerve exits the brainstem at the junction of the pons and the medulla and runs upward to reach the eye, traveling between the dura and the skull.

Which nerve is responsible for transmitting sound and balance information from the inner ear to the brain?

The vestibulocochlear nerve (VIII): This is responsible for transmitting sound and equilibrium (balance) information from the inner ear to the brain. The glossopharyngeal nerve (IX): This nerve receives sensory information from the tonsils, the pharynx, the middle ear, and the rest of the tongue.

Which nerve innervates the lateral rectus muscle of the eye?

The abducens nerve (VI): A motor nerve that innervates the lateral rectus muscle of the eye, which controls lateral movement. The facial nerve (VII): This controls the muscles of facial expression, and functions in the conveyance of taste sensations from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue and oral cavity.

How many cranial nerves are there?

The twelve cranial nerves are shown in the figure below followed by brief descriptions. The cranial nerves: The locations of the cranial nerves within the brain. The olfactory nerve (I): This is instrumental for the sense of smell, it is one of the few nerves that are capable of regeneration.

What is the facial nerve?

The facial nerve is the efferent limb, causing contraction of the orbicularis oculi muscle. If the corneal reflex is absent, it is a sign of damage to the trigeminal/ophthalmic nerve, or the facial nerve. By TeachMeSeries Ltd (2021) Fig 4 – The corneal reflex pathway.

Which nerve gives rise to 3 terminal branches?

Ophthalmic nerve gives rise to 3 terminal branches: frontal, lacrimal and nasociliary, which innervate the skin and mucous membrane of derivatives of the frontonasal prominence derivatives:

What are the 3 divisions of the trigeminal ganglion?

The peripheral aspect of the trigeminal ganglion gives rise to 3 divisions: ophthalmic (V1) , maxillary (V2) and mandibular (V3) . The motor root passes inferiorly to the sensory root, along the floor of the trigeminal cave. Its fibres are only distributed to the mandibular division.

What is the trigeminal nerve?

The Trigeminal Nerve (CN V) The trigeminal nerve, CN V, is the fifth paired cranial nerve. It is also the largest cranial nerve. In this article, we shall look at the anatomical course of the nerve, and the motor, sensory and parasympathetic functions of its terminal branches.

How many terminal branches does the maxillary nerve have?

Maxillary nerve gives rise to 14 terminal branches, which innervate the skin, mucous membranes and sinuses of derivatives of the maxillary prominence of the 1st pharyngeal arch:

Which ganglion is associated with the lacrimal gland?

Lacrimal gland: Post ganglionic fibres from the pterygopalatine ganglion (derived from the facial nerve), travel with the zygomatic branch of V2 and then join the lacrimal branch of V1. The fibres supply parasympathetic innervation to the lacrimal gland.

Where is the trigeminal ganglion located?

The trigeminal ganglion is located lateral to the cavernous sinus, in a depression of the temporal bone. This depression is known as the trigeminal cave. The peripheral aspect of the trigeminal ganglion gives rise to 3 divisions: ophthalmic (V1), maxillary (V2) and mandibular (V3).

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