facial nerve introduction, functional component, course, nucleus, branches, testing, applied anatomy. Facial nerve is the seventh cranial nerve among the twelve cranial nerves. it supplies most of the muscles of facial expression. injury to this nerve leads to bells palsy.

1. FACIAL NERVE
The seventh cranial nerve

2. Introduction
◦ Facial nerve is a seventh of twelve Paired cranial nerves.
◦ It is a mixed nerve with motor and sensory functions.
◦ It emerges from brain stem between pons and medulla and supplies the muscles of facial
expressions.
◦ Its function is the conveyance of taste sensation from anterior 2/3rd of tongue and oral cavity.
◦ It also supplies preganglionic Parasympathetic fibers to several head and neck ganglia.

4. Location of Facial nerve nucleus

5. Branches of facial nerve

6. Course of facial nerve

8. Central connections of facial nerve

9. Clinical aspect – facial nerve lesions

10. Testing of facial nerve