Chapter contents Branchial motor Visceral motor Special sensory General sensory Peripheral lesions

Cranial Nerve VII - Facial Nerve Page 4 of 28 Intracranial course Upon emerging from the ventrolateral aspect of the caudal border of the pons, all of the components of CN VII enter the internal auditory meatus along with the fibers of CN VIII (vestibulocochlear nerve). The fibers of CN VII pass through the facial canal in the petrous portion of the temporal bone. The course of the fibers is along the roof of the vestibule of the inner ear, just posterior to the cochlea.

		Figure 7-4. Intracranial course- branchial motor components of the facial nerve. Facial nerve origin and inner ear anatomy.

Last revised: March 22, 1998