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.