Chapter contents
Branchial motor
Visceral motor
Special sensory
General sensory
Peripheral lesions| Cranial Nerve VII - Facial Nerve | Page 5 of 28 |
Intracranial Course, cont'd
At the geniculate ganglion the various components of the facial nerve take different pathways.
Fibers of the branchial motor component pass through the geniculate ganglion without synapsing, turn 90 degrees posteriorly and laterally before curving inferiorly just medial to the middle ear to exit the skull through the stylomastoid foramen.
The nerve to the stapedius muscle is given off from the facial nerve in its course through the petrous portion of the temporal bone.
