Chapter contents
Branchial motor
Visceral motor
Special sensory
General sensory
Peripheral lesions| Cranial Nerve VII - Facial Nerve | Page 1 of 28 |
Component Overview
The facial nerve has four components with distinct functions:
|
Brancial motor (special visceral efferent) |
Supplies the muscles of facial expression; posterior belly of digastric muscle; stylohyoid, and stapedius. |
|
Visceral motor (general visceral efferent) |
Parasympathetic innervation of the lcrimal, submandibular, and sublingual glands, as well as mucous membranes of nasopharynx, hard and soft palate. |
|
Special sensory (special afferent) |
Taste sensation from the anterior 2/3 of tongue; hard and soft palates. |
|
General sensory (general somatic afferent) |
General sensation from the skin of the concha of the auricle and from a small area behind the ear. |
Branchial motor fibers constitute the largest portion of the facial nerve.
The remaining three components are bound in a distinct fascial sheath from the branchial motor fibers. Collectively these three components are referred to as the nervus intermedius.
Component Overview
