g) VII - Facial Nerve

Nuclei

Course

Greater petrosal nerve

Chorda Tympani

Terminal branches

Upon emerging from the stylomastoid foramen the facial nerve gives off the posterior auricar nerve before passing anteriorly into the substance of the parotid gland. It then divides into five branches that are distributed to the muscles of facial expression.

Posterior auricular nerve

The posterior auricular nerve passes posteriorly and the superiorly behind the external auditory meatus. It supplies the auricular muscles and the occipital belly of occipitofrontalis.

Temporal branches

The temporal branches pass anterior and superior to exit the superficial border of the parotid. The pass to the frontal belly of occiptofrontalis, the orbicular oculi and corrugator.

Zygomatic branches


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