| The pictures and diagrams below show the anatomy of the facial nerve.
These pictures were submitted by Dr. Kedar K.
Adour,
M.D. and drawn by
Edith
Steadman and K K Adour, M.D.
|
Diagram
of the facial nerve and structures it innervates.
 | Tearing -- Lacrimal Gland |
| Taste -- Anterior 2/3 of the Tongue |
| Saliva Production -- Sublingual Gland,
Submandibular Gland,
Nasal and Palatine Gland |
| Muscles of Facial Expression |
| Stapedius Muscle -- A muscle which
helps to protect the ear
from loud noises. |
| Contains a few somatic afferent fibers.
|
Diagram
of innervations of the muscles of facial expression. The facial
nerve exits the stylomastoid foramen and enters the parotid gland.
It then divides into a lower and upper division and further subdivides
into five or more branches.
| Frontalis -- Innervates the Forehead
muscles |
| Orbicularis Oculi -- Eyelid muscles |
| Obicularis Oris - Lip muscles
|
During
ear surgery the facial nerve can be injured. The nerve travels
between the stapes and lateral semicircular canal, then into the mastoid
cavity. It exits the mastoid cavity via the stylomastoid foramen and
enters the parotid gland.
Mastoid
surgery (mastoidectomy)
to remove
cholesteatoma
carries a risk of facial paralysis.
The picture on the left
shows the facial nerve
in the
middle ear
cavity.
The
diagram on the right shows the blood supply of the facial nerve.
Website last updated:
07/13/2008 |
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