Facial nerve

The facial nerve is seventh of twelve paired cranial nerves. It emerges from the brainstem between the pons and the medulla, and controls the muscles of facial expression, and taste to the anterior two-thirds of the tongue.

Related Topics:
Cranial nerves - Pons - Medulla - Taste - Tongue

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Its main function is motor control of most of the facial muscles and muscles of the inner ear. It also supplies parasympathetic fibres to the submandibular gland and sublingual glands via chorda tympani nerve and the submandibular ganglion, and to the lacrimal gland via the pterygopalatine ganglion. In addition, it receives taste sensations from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue. There is also a small amount of cutaneous sensation carried by the nervus intermedius from the skin in and around the auricle (earlobe).

Related Topics:
Facial muscles - Ear - Parasympathetic - Submandibular gland - Sublingual gland - Chorda tympani nerve - Submandibular ganglion - Lacrimal gland - Pterygopalatine ganglion - Taste - Tongue - Nervus intermedius - Auricle

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