THE SEVENTH CRANIAL NERVE
Testing the Function of the Facial Nerve VII
Anatomy & Physiology 203
November 15, 2014
Introduction: The facial nerve is the seventh cranial nerve of the peripheral nervous system that is the chief motor nerve of the face. It exits the brainstem between the pons and the medulla. The primary motor function is the control of the muscles of facial expressions and conveys impulses of taste sensations from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue and mouth. It also supplies many of the glands of the head and neck. Without the facial nerve, a person could not show facial expressions, cry, wink, smile, or frown. The facial nerve serves several functions and any damage to them can cause many or all of …show more content…
Taken in consideration the family and medical history, there are no previous abnormal results that have been …show more content…
Cranial Nerve VII: The Facial Nerve and Taste - Clinical Methods - NCBI Bookshelf. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK385/
Discussion: Testing of the facial nerve through the different types of facial expressions will prove to be difficult to perform if an individual is suffering from facial nerve damage. These tests will allow all the muscles in the face to be used. Any asymmetry of the face would also prove difficult to perform the facial expressions because paralysis already exists and the muscles would be hard to control. As the data shows, I do not have difficulty performing any of the facial expressions or taste test.
Conclusion: Although, these results reflect that there are no obvious signs of facial nerve damage, a diagnosis of a person’s medical and family history should be taken into consideration. Also, all of the 12 cranial nerves of the system are involved in the function and sensory of the facial nerve should be tested for a more accurate diagnosis of nerve damage.
Gailard, F., & Jones, J. 2005-2010. Cranial nerves. Radiopaedia.org; [updated 2011, cited 2012 Apr 18]. Available from:
Testing the Function of the Facial Nerve VII
Anatomy & Physiology 203
November 15, 2014
Introduction: The facial nerve is the seventh cranial nerve of the peripheral nervous system that is the chief motor nerve of the face. It exits the brainstem between the pons and the medulla. The primary motor function is the control of the muscles of facial expressions and conveys impulses of taste sensations from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue and mouth. It also supplies many of the glands of the head and neck. Without the facial nerve, a person could not show facial expressions, cry, wink, smile, or frown. The facial nerve serves several functions and any damage to them can cause many or all of …show more content…
Taken in consideration the family and medical history, there are no previous abnormal results that have been …show more content…
Cranial Nerve VII: The Facial Nerve and Taste - Clinical Methods - NCBI Bookshelf. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK385/
Discussion: Testing of the facial nerve through the different types of facial expressions will prove to be difficult to perform if an individual is suffering from facial nerve damage. These tests will allow all the muscles in the face to be used. Any asymmetry of the face would also prove difficult to perform the facial expressions because paralysis already exists and the muscles would be hard to control. As the data shows, I do not have difficulty performing any of the facial expressions or taste test.
Conclusion: Although, these results reflect that there are no obvious signs of facial nerve damage, a diagnosis of a person’s medical and family history should be taken into consideration. Also, all of the 12 cranial nerves of the system are involved in the function and sensory of the facial nerve should be tested for a more accurate diagnosis of nerve damage.
Gailard, F., & Jones, J. 2005-2010. Cranial nerves. Radiopaedia.org; [updated 2011, cited 2012 Apr 18]. Available from: