The document summarizes the anatomy and clinical features of the facial nerve (CN VII). It discusses the nuclei, course, and branches of the nerve. The facial nerve is a mixed nerve that is predominantly motor. It has motor nuclei in the brainstem and carries preganglionic fibers to the submandibular ganglion. The nerve exits the skull via the internal acoustic meatus and stylomastoid foramen, dividing into 5 terminal branches in the face. Lesions can occur at different levels, causing varying patterns of facial paralysis that are assessed during physical exams of the nerve branches.