Facial Nerve Problems and Bell's Palsy
Medical Revising Author: Standiford Helm II, MD
Medical Revising Editor: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
What is the facial nerve?
The facial nerve is a nerve which controls the muscles
on the side of the face. It allows us to show expression, smile, cry, and wink.
Injury to the facial nerve causes a socially and psychologically devastating
physical defect; treatment may require extensive rehabilitation or multiple procedures.
The facial nerve is the seventh of the twelve cranial nerves. Everyone has
two facial nerves, one for each side of the face. The facial nerve travels with
the hearing nerve (the eighth cranial nerve) as it travels in and around the
structures of the middle ear. It exits
the front of the ear at the stylomastoid foramen (a hole in the skull base),
where it then travels through the parotid gland. In the parotid gland it divides into many branches which provide motor function for the
various muscles and glands of the head and neck.
Next: What are symptoms of a facial nerve problem? »
 |
 |
From the Doctors at MedicineNet.com  |
 |
 |
- Cryotherapy - Read about cryotherapy pain management treatment for pinched nerves, neuralgia, neuromas, and more on MedicineNet.com Source:MedicineNet
- Lyme Disease - Get the facts on Lyme disease symptoms, signs, causes and transmission (bites from ticks infected with Borrelia burgdorferi), history, diagnosis, treatment and prevention. Source:MedicineNet
- Pain Management - Learn about pain management and pain treatment options for nociceptive, neuropathic pain (for example fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome), and chronic pain. Source:MedicineNet
- Read 19 more Facial Nerve Problems related articles ...
|
| |
 |
Last Editorial Review: 3/6/2007