The facial nerve has 3 nuclei that control different functions: 1) the superior salivatory nucleus controls secretomotor fibers to salivary and lacrimal glands. 2) The nucleus solitarius contains special sensory fibers for taste. 3) The motor nucleus controls the muscles of facial expression and muscles derived from the second pharyngeal arch through its branches in the face and scalp.

1. Summary of
Facial nerve
By
Dr. Noura El Tahawy
Faculty of Medicine,
El- Minia University

2. Summary of Facial Nerve Anatomy
Nucleus Branches Distribution
Superficial Greater Petrosal br. Secretomotor to the lacrimal, nasal,
In the middle ear palatine glands.
I. Superior Salivatory Nucleus in Pons
General visceral efferent - Receives also Taste sensation from the
(Parasympathetic) palate by fibers from the Solitary N.
(GVE) (SVA).
Chorda Tympani br.
Secretomotor to the submandibular
In the middle ear and sublingual salivary glands
II. Nucleus solitarius in Medulla Oblongata Chorda Tympani br.
Special visceral sensory Taste from the anterior two thirds of the
(SVA) tongue.
Nerve to Stapedius muscle
Stapedius muscle (derived from the second
In the middle ear pharyngeal arch)
III. Motor nucleus of facial in Pons Nerve to posterior belly, post. Branchiomotor: supply all of the muscles
Special Visceral Motor auricular, nerve to stylohyoid. derived from the second pharyngeal arch,
(SVE) Terminal brs. in the face: including the muscles of facial expression, the
Temporal, zygomatic, buccal, buccinator, platysma, and those of the scalp
mandibular and cervical nerves. (occiptofrontalis and external ear), the
After its exit from stylomastoid foramen posterior belly of the digastric, stylohyoid
muscles and.platysma.