What canal does the facial nerve pass through?

It emerges from the pons of the brainstem, controls the muscles of facial expression, and functions in the conveyance of taste sensations from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue. The nerves typically travels from the pons through the facial canal in the temporal bone and exits the skull at the stylomastoid foramen.

What are the divisions of the facial nerve?

The facial nerve has five main branches, although the anatomy can vary somewhat between individuals. The branches are, from top to bottom: frontal (or temporal), zygomatic, buccal, marginal mandibular, and cervical. Each of these branches provides input to a group of muscles of facial expression.

What foramen does facial nerve exit?

The facial nerve exits the facial canal via the stylomastoid foramen. The nerve travels between the digastric and stylohyoid muscles and enters the parotid gland.

Where does the facial nerve canal start?

It begins as two roots; a large motor root, and a small sensory root (the part of the facial nerve that arises from the sensory root is sometimes known as the intermediate nerve). The two roots travel through the internal acoustic meatus, a 1cm long opening in the petrous part of the temporal bone.

What are the nerves of the face?

Trigeminal Nerve. The sensory innervation to the face comes from the trigeminal nerve which is the only cranial nerve that arises directly from the pons. Its three branches are the Ophthalmic (V1), Maxillary (V2) and Mandibular (V3). Each of those branches supplies the corresponding region on the face.

Which muscle does the facial nerve passes through?

Branches of the facial nerve are responsible for innervating many of the muscles of the head and neck. All these muscles are derivatives of the second pharyngeal arch. The first motor branch arises within the facial canal; the nerve to stapedius. The nerve passes through the pyramidal eminence to supply the stapedius muscle in the middle ear.

What cranial nerve is used to smile?

Smiling is controlled by the bronchial motor fibers of the seventh cranial nerve. If a person can smile, then their seventh cranial nerve is working normally. The seventh cranial nerve controls movements of the facial expression muscles.

What is the 7th cranial nerve?

The 7th cranial nerve is mixed nerve containing both sensory and motor components. It emerges from the brainstem between the pons and the medulla, and 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.