The Facial Nerve:

Functional Components and Anatomy

Brief overview of cranial nerve functional components

The 12 cranial nerves participate in a total of seven neural functions. Each of these seven functions is designated by a three letter acronym. The first letter is either G (General) or S (Special).
General refers to primitive and/or external structures of the body. Special refers to senses unique to the head (taste, olfaction, hearing, vision, and balance) and to muscles of branchial arch derivatives.

The second letter is either S (Somatic) or V (Visceral).

Somatic refers to non-visceral structures including skin, muscles, tendons, joints, retina (vision), basilar membrane (hearing), and utricle/saccula (balance). Visceral refers to organs of the body cavity, smooth muscle, vessels, and glands.

The third letter is either A (Afferent) or E (Efferent).

Afferent refers to flow of neural information toward the brain (sensation) Efferent refers to flow of neural information toward the periphery (motor).

Knowledge of the functional components and the deficits that follow damage to each provides the basis of the thorough neurological exam.

The Seven Functional Components

GSA General Somatic Afferent
Touch, temperature, and pain from non-visceral structures

GSE General Somatic Efferent

Motor to skeletal muscle

GVA General Visceral Afferent

Touch (distention), temperature, and pain from the viscera

GVE General Visceral Efferent

Motor to viscera, smooth muscle, and glands

SSA Special Somatic Afferent

Vision, hearing, and balance

SSE Doesnt exist SVA Special Visceral Afferent Taste and olfaction SVE Special Visceral Efferent
Motor to muscles derived from the branchial arches

The remainder of this tutorial focuses on the functional nerve components contained within the facial nerve:
SVE GVA SVA GVE GSA
These components, either alone or in combination, make up the facial nerve and its branches. An understanding of these components can serve as a template for understanding the other functional components. In addition, an understanding of the facial nerve and its components can be applied in clinical situations to help localize a patients defect.

Functional Components Within Branches of the Facial Nerve:

Greater Superficial Petrosal Nerve (GSPN)
GVA, GVE, SVA

Stapedial Nerve
SVE

Chorda Tympani Nerve

GVE, SVA

Posterior Auricular Nerve

SVE, GSA

Facial Nerve (terminal branch)

SVE

Anatomy of Facial Nerve Branches

The facial nerve exits the posterior cranial fossa (PCF) at the internal acoustic meatus. Within the internal acoustic meatus the facial nerve enters the facial canal. The first branch of the facial nerve, the greater superficial petrosal nerve (GSPN) branches from the geniculate ganglion within the genu of the facial canal and enters the middle cranial fossa by way of the hiatus of the canal for the GSPN. The second branch of the facial nerve, the stapedial nerve, branches from the descending portion of the facial nerve and enters the middle ear. The third branch of the facial nerve, the chorda tympani nerve, branches from the descending portion of the facial nerve and enters the middle ear. Within the middle ear the chorda tympani nerve crosses the medial surface of the tympanic membrane. It then passes through the petrotympanic fissure to enter the infratemporal fossa. The descending portion of the facial nerve continues into the parotid region by way of the stylomastoid foramen.

Overview of Facial Nerve anatomy in the skull

Internal Acoustic Meatus Posterior Cranial Fossa (PCF)

Hiatus of canal of greater superficial petrosal nerve

Inferior Orbital Fissure Lacerate foramen

Greater superficial Petrosal nerve (GSPN)

Pterygoid canal

Greater and lesser palatine canals

Facial canal

Petrotympanic fissure

Facial nerve

Stylomastoid Foramen
Facial nerve Posterior auricular N.

Chorda tympani nerve

The facial nerve exits the posterior cranial fossa (PCF) at the internal acoustic meatus.

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Overview of Facial Nerve anatomy in the skull

Internal Acoustic Meatus Posterior Cranial Fossa

Hiatus of canal of greater superficial petrosal nerve

Inferior Orbital Fissure Lacerate foramen

Greater superficial Petrosal nerve (GSPN)

Pterygoid canal

Greater and lesser palatine canals

Facial canal

Petrotympanic fissure

Facial nerve

Stylomastoid Foramen

Chorda tympani

Facial nerve
Posterior auricular N.

Within the internal acoustic meatus the facial nerve enters the facial canal.

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Overview of Facial Nerve anatomy in the skull

Internal Acoustic Meatus Posterior Cranial Fossa

Inferior Orbital Fissure Hiatus of canal of greater superficial petrosal nerve

Geniculate ganglion

Lacerate foramen

MCF
Greater superficial Petrosal nerve (GSPN)

Pterygoid canal

Greater and lesser palatine canals

Facial canal

Petrotympanic fissure

Facial nerve

Stylomastoid Foramen

Chorda tympani

Facial nerve

The first branch of the facial nerve, the greater superficial petrosal nerve (GSPN) branches from the geniculate ganglion within the genu of the facial canal and enters the middle cranial fossa (MCF) by way of the hiatus of the canal for the GSPN.

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Overview of Facial Nerve anatomy in the skull

Internal Acoustic Meatus Posterior Cranial Fossa

Hiatus of canal of greater superficial petrosal nerve

Inferior Orbital Fissure Lacerate foramen

Greater superficial Petrosal nerve (GSPN)

Pterygoid canal

Greater and lesser palatine canals

Facial canal

Stapedial N.

Petrotympanic fissure

Facial nerve

Stylomastoid Foramen

Chorda tympani

Facial nerve
Posterior auricular N.

The second branch of the facial nerve, the stapedial nerve, branches from the descending portion of the facial nerve and enters the middle ear.

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Overview of Facial Nerve anatomy in the skull

Internal Acoustic Meatus Posterior Cranial Fossa

Hiatus of canal of greater superficial petrosal nerve

Inferior Orbital Fissure Lacerate foramen

Greater superficial Petrosal nerve (GSPN)

Pterygoid canal

Greater and lesser palatine canals

Facial canal

Petrotympanic fissure

Facial nerve Chorda tympani N.

Stylomastoid Foramen
Facial nerve

Infratemporal fossa

The third branch of the facial nerve, the chorda tympani nerve, branches from the descending portion of the facial nerve and enters the middle ear. Within the middle ear the chorda tympani nerve crosses the medial surface of the tympanic membrane. It then passes through the petrotympanic fissure to enter the infratemporal fossa.

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Overview of Facial Nerve anatomy in the skull

Internal Acoustic Meatus Posterior Cranial Fossa

Hiatus of canal of greater superficial petrosal nerve

Inferior Orbital Fissure Lacerate foramen

Greater superficial Petrosal nerve (GSPN)

Pterygoid canal

Greater and lesser palatine canals

Facial canal

Petrotympanic fissure

Facial nerve

Stylomastoid Foramen
Facial nerve Posterior auricular N.

Chorda tympani

Parotid region

The descending portion of the facial nerve exits the facial canal at the stylomastoid foramen and continues into the parotid region

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Functional components of the Facial Nerve (CN VII)

1.

2.

3.
4.

5.

SVE (Special Visceral Efferent) Motor to striated muscles derived from the 2nd branchial arch. GVA (General Visceral Afferent) Sensory from visceral touch, temperature, and pain. SVA (Special Visceral Afferent) Taste GVE (General Visceral Efferent) Autonomic innervation to mucosal, lacrimal, and salivary glands. GSA (General Somatic Afferent) Sensory from somatic touch, temperature, and pain.
Click on numbers for functional components

SVE Component of the Facial Nerve

1. 2. 3. 4. The next 11 slides demonstrate innervation to muscles derived from the 2nd branchial arch: Stapedius muscle -- dampens movement of the ossicles (inserts on stapes of middle ear) Posterior auricular muscle -- posterior movement of pinna Stylohyoid muscle -- elevates hyoid bone Posterior belly of digastric -- elevates hyoid bone, depresses mandible Muscles of facial expression -- blinking, smiling, frowning, facial movements
Click here to start Animation of SVE component

5.

1. The Stapedius muscle dampens movement of the ossicles

SVE

\
Stapedius muscle dampens movement of the ossicles protecting the inner ear from damage from loud noises

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2. The Posterior Auricular nerve innervates the posterior auricular muscle, pulling the pinna posteriorly.

SVE

Posterior auricular muscle pulls the pinna posteriorly

SVE component of posterior auricular nerve

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3. The Stylohyoid muscle elevates the hyoid bone SVE

Through the internal Acoustic meatus

Stylohyoid muscle elevates the hyoid bone.

Through the stylomastoid foramen

Stylohyoid branch of facial nerve innervates stylohyoid muscle

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4. The Posterior belly of digastric muscle elevates the hyoid bone

SVE
Through the internal acoustic meatus

Posterior belly of digastric muscle elevates the hyoid bone

Through the stylomastoid foramen

Posterior belly of digastric branch of facial nerve innervates posterior belly of digastric muscle.

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5. The next six slides demonstrate SVE innervation to the muscles of facial expression*
A.

SVE
B. C.

Temporal branch (with zygomatic branch) innervates orbicularis oculi-closes eyelids Zygomatic branch (with buccal branch) innervates zygomaticus major--smiling Buccal branch innervates buccinator--tenses cheek Mandibular branch innervates depressor angularis oris--frowning Cervical branch innervates platysma -lowers mandible, tenses skin of anterior neck

D. E.

*These are key innervations to the muscles of facial expression. However, each nerve branch innervates multiple muscles and each muscle receives multiple nerve branches.

A. The temporal and zygomatic branches of the facial nerve provide SVE nerve fibers that innervate the ipsilateral orbicularis oculi, the muscle responsible for closing the eyelid.

SVE

Contraction of orbicularis oculi causes the eyelid to close

Temporal branch

Zygomatic branch

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B. The zygomatic and buccal branches of the facial nerve innervate the ipsilateral zygomaticus major muscle, the main muscle responsible for smiling. SVE
Zygomaticus major muscle

Zygomatic branch

Contraction of the zygomaticus major muscle causes smiling

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C. The buccal branch of the facial nerve innervates the buccinator muscle, the muscle responsible for holding the cheek against the teeth, thus positioning food for chewing.

SVE

Contraction of the buccinator muscle causes tensing of the cheek which helps position food within the occusal plane for chewing

Buccal branch of facial nerve innervates Buccinator muscle.

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D. The mandibular and buccal branches of the facial nerve innervate the ipsilateral depressor angularis oris muscle, a muscle responsible for frowning.

SVE

Mandibular branch

Depressor angularis oris

Contraction of the depressor angularis oris muscle causes frowning

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E. The cervical branch of the facial nerve innervates the platysma muscle, a muscle partly responsible for depressing the mandible.

SVE

Contraction of platysma Muscle results in depression of mandible.

Platysma muscle

Cervical branch of facial nerve innervates Platysma muscle.

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E. The cervical branch of the facial nerve innervates the platysma muscle (the shaving muscle), a muscle responsible for tightening the skin of the anterior neck.

SVE
Contraction of platysma muscle causes the skin of the anterior neck to tighten.

Platysma muscle

Cervical branch of facial nerve innervates Platysma muscle.

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Summary of SVE

Internal Acoustic Meatus

Facial nucleus

Facial canal

Stapedius muscle dampens movement of ossicles.

Facial nerve

Stylomastoid Foramen Posterior auricular N. Posterior auricular muscle responsible for posterior displacement of pinna. Stylohyoid muscle elevates hyoid bone.

Facial nerve

Posterior belly of digastric elevates hyoid bone.

Temporal-orbicularis oculi closes eyelids. Zygomatic-zygomaticus major partly responsible for smiling. Buccal-buccinator tenses cheek Mandibular-depressor angularis oris responsible for frowning. Cervical- platysma helps lower mandible and tightens skin of neck.

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GVA Component of the Facial Nerve

The next slide demonstrates that GVA is responsible for providing: 1. Light touch, temperature, and pain sensation from the soft palate via the greater superficial petrosal nerve (GSPN).
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1. GVA provides sensation of light touch, temperature, and pain from the soft palate. GVA
GSPN

Temperature sensation

soft palate

Light touch sensation Pain sensation

Facial nerve

Light touch, temperature, and pain from the soft palate

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Summary of GVA
Through the internal acoustic meatus

Through the Pterygoid canal Through the hiatus of canal of GSPN

GSPN

Pterygoid canal

Through the lesser palatine canal

Facial canal

Facial nerve

Light touch, temperature, and pain from the soft palate

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SVA Component of the Facial Nerve

The next two slides demonstrate that SVA is responsible for providing: 1. Taste from the hard and soft palate via the greater superficial petrosal nerve (GSPN). 2. Taste from the anterior 2/3 of the tongue via the chorda tympani nerve.
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1. SVA provides taste sensation from the hard and soft palate via the GSPN. SVA
Hard palate

Soft palate GSPN branches from the facial nerve at the geniculate ganglion within the genu of the facial canal. It is made up of fibers from SVA, GVE, and GVA.

Co
Sweetened coffee

Taste from the hard and soft palate

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2. SVA provides taste to the anterior 2/3 of the tongue via the chorda tympani nerve.
SVA

Chorda tympani

Taste from the anterior 2/3 of the tongue

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Summary of SVA
Internal Acoustic Meatus

Hiatus of canal of greater superficial petrosal nerve

Lacerate foramen

GSPN

Pterygoid canal

Greater and lesser palatine canals

Facial canal

Petrotympanic fissure

Chorda tympani Taste from hard and soft palate.

Stylomastoid Foramen

Taste from anterior 2/3 tongue.

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GVE Component of the Facial Nerve

1. Via the pterygopalatine ganglion GVE provides: A. Lacrimation (tearing of the eye) B. Mucus secretions of the nasal cavity C. Mucus secretions of the oral cavity 2. Via innervation of the submandibular ganglion GVE provides: A. Salivation of the oral cavity
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1. The GVE component of the facial nerve transmits preganglionic fibers to the pterygopalatine ganglion via the GSPN. From the pterygopalatine ganglion postganglionic fibers cause ipsilateral lacrimation and mucus secretions of the nasal and oral cavities.

GVE

GSPN

Lacrimal gland Pterygopalatine ganglion

A. Tearing of eye Lacrimal nucleus B. Mucus secretion of nasal cavities

C. Mucus secretion of hard and soft palate.

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2. The GVE component of the facial nerve transmits preganglionic fibers to the submandibular ganglion via the chorda tympani nerve. From the submandibular ganglion postganglionic fibers innervate the submandibular and sublingual glands, causing salivation.

GVE
Sublingulal gland

Submandibular gland Superior salivary nucleus Chorda tympani Submandibular ganglion

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Summary of GVE
Internal Acoustic Meatus

Hiatus of canal of greater superficial petrosal nerve

Inferior Orbital Fissure Lacerate foramen

GSPN

Greater and lesser palatine canals Pterygoid canal

From the pterygopalatine ganglion postganglionic GVE fibers provide lacrimation of the eyes and mucus secretion of the nasal cavity and oral cavity.

Facial canal

Petrotympanic fissure

Superior salivary and lacrimal nucleus

Chorda tympani

From the submandibular ganglion postganglionic GVE fibers provide salivation in the oral cavity.

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GSA Component of the Facial Nerve

GSA is responsible for providing: 1. Touch, temperature, and pain sensation from part of the external acoustic meatus via the posterior auricular nerve.

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1. GSA provides touch, temperature, and pain sensation from the external acoustic meatus.
Cotton swab

GSA

Touch, temperature, and pain sensation from part of the external acoustic meatus.

Posterior auricular nerve

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Foramen Rotundem

Inferior Orbital Fissure

Summary of GSA

Internal Acoustic Meatus

Facial canal

Facial nerve

Stylomastoid Foramen

Facial nerve

Touch, temperature, and pain sensation from the external acoustic meatus. Posterior auricular nerve

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Summary of functional components

Each of the five functional components of the facial nerve SVE, GVA, SVA, GVE, and GSA have a unique function. Knowledge of these functional components can be applied to clinical observations to aid in localizing lesions of nerve branches or at anatomical landmarks. The following slides provide examples of how lesions at different locations can effect function.

Question #1
One effect of a lesion here, between the branching of the stapedial nerve and the branching of the chorda tympani nerve, would be:
A. Paralysis of facial muscles A. Paralysis of facial muscles B. Decreased sensationof soft palate B. Decreased sensation soft palate

C. Decreased hearingto sensivity C. Increased sensitivity loud noise

D. Loss taste of hard D.ofLoss of taste to thepalate soft palate

Question #2
A lesion here, between the branching of the stapedial nerve and the branching of the chorda tympani nerve, will also cause?
A. Loss of light touch from the soft palate B. Loss of taste from the soft palate C. Loss of taste of anterior 2/3 of tongue D. Loss of temperature from the soft palate.

Question #3
One effect of a lesion here, at the stylomastoid foramen will be:

A. Loss of light touch from the soft palate B. Loss of salivation of oral cavity C. Increased sensitivity to loud noises D.Partial loss of sensation of external acoustic meatus

Question #4
A lesion here, between the branching of the GSPN and the branching of the stapedial nerve, will spare:

A. Taste of anterior 2/3 of tongue B. Taste of hard palate C. Salivation in oral cavity D. Ipsilateral facial expression

Question #5
A lesion here, between the branching of the GSPN and the branching of the stapedial nerve, will also spare:
A. Light touch from the soft palate B. Ability to smile C. Taste from the anterior 2/3 of tongue D. Protection of the inner ear from loud noises

Thank You
Return to SVE Return to GVA Return to SVA

Return to GVE

Return to GSA

Return to Lesion Questions

Incorrect
The GVA component of the GSPN, which is spared by this lesion, is responsible for providing sensation from the soft palate.

Please try again

Incorrect
The stapedial nerve (SVE), which is spared by this lesion, is responsible for protecting the ear from increased sensitivity to loud noises.

Please try again

Incorrect
The SVA component of the GSPN, which is spared by this lesion, is responsible for providing taste from the hard palate.

Please try again

Incorrect
The GVA component of the GSPN, which is spared by this lesion, is responsible for providing light touch from the soft palate.

Please try again

Incorrect
The SVA component of the GSPN, which is spared by this lesion, is responsible for providing taste from the soft palate.

Please try again

Incorrect
The GVA component of the GSPN, which is spared by this lesion, is responsible for providing temperature sensation from the soft palate.

Please try again

Incorrect
The GVA component of the GSPN, which is spared by this lesion, is responsible for providing light touch from the soft palate.

Please try again

Incorrect
The GVE component of the chorda tympani nerve, which is spared by this lesion, is responsible for providing salivation of the oral cavity.

Please try again

Incorrect
The stapedial nerve (SVE), which is spared by this lesion, is responsible for protecting the ear from increased sensitivity to loud noises.

Please try again

Incorrect
This lesion will not spare taste to the anterior 2/3 of the tongue, which is supplied via the SVA component of the chorda tympani nerve.

Please try again

Incorrect
This lesion will not spare salivation of the oral cavity, which is supplied by the GVE component of the chorda tympani nerve.

Please try again

Incorrect
This lesion will not spare ipsilateral facial expression, which is supplied by the temporal, zygomatic, buccal, mandibular, and cervical branches of the facial nerve (SVE).

Please try again

Incorrect
This lesion will not spare the ability to smile, which is supplied by the zygomatic branch of the facial nerve (SVE).

Please try again

Incorrect
This lesion will not spare the ability to taste from the anterior 2/3 of the tongue, which is supplied by the SVA component of the chorda tympani nerve.

Please try again

Incorrect
This lesion will not spare the ability to smile, which is supplied by the zygomatic branch of the facial nerve (SVE).

Please try again

Incorrect
This lesion will not spare the ability to protect the ear from loud noises, which is supplied by the stapedial nerve (SVE).

Please try again

Correct!
A lesion here will cause paralysis of facial muscles due to its disruption of the SVE component.

Go back to question 1

Next question

Correct!
A lesion here will cause a loss of taste to the anterior 2/3 of the tongue due to the disruption of the SVA component of the chorda tympani nerve.

Go back to question 2

Next question

Correct!
A lesion here will cause partial loss of sensation (light touch, temperature, and pain) of the external acoustic meatus due to disruption of the GSA component of the posterior auricular nerve.

Go back to question 3

Next question

Correct!
A lesion here will spare a persons ability to taste on the hard and soft palate because the SVA component of the Greater Superficial Petrosal Nerve (GSPN) remains intact.

Go back to question 4

Next question

Correct!
A lesion here will spare the sensation of light touch of the soft palate because the GVA component of the GSPN remains intact.

Go back to question 5

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