Introduction
The testing of cranial nerve function is an important part of a neurological assessment (Department of Health Sciences, 2014). The brain has twelve main pairs of nerves, called cranial nerves. During a complete neurological assessment, most of the cranial nerves are evaluated to help determine the proper functioning of the brain (Neurological Examination, 2014).
Each cranial nerve is paired and is present in each side of the brain. Cranial nerve I (Olfactory) is the sensory nerve of smell. Cranial nerve II (Optic) is the sensory nerve that carries vision to the brain. Cranial nerve III (Oculomotor) is responsible for pupil size and certain movements of the eye. Cranial nerve IV (Trochlear) is also related to movement of the eyes. …show more content…
The parasympathetic portion of this nerve is responsible for salivary glands and tear, nasal and palatine glands. In addition, this nerve conveys sensory information from the taste buds of the anterior two-thirds of the tongue (Marieb & Hoehn, 2010). Damage to this nerve may result in the sagging or drooping of facial muscles and a disturbed sense of taste (no ability to taste sweet or salty substances) (Marieb & Hoehn, 2010).
The Facial Nerve (CN VII) has five major branches: temporal, zygomatic, buccal, mandibular, and cervical (Marieb & Hoehn, 2010). This nerve originates at the pons, enters the temporal bone “via the internal acoustic meatus, and runs within bone (and through inner ear cavity) before emerging through stylomastoid foramen; the nerve then courses to the lateral aspect of the face” (Marieb & Hoehn, 2010, p. …show more content…
Using the Sunnybrook Facial Grading System, the subject’s face was observed at rest and while speaking to see if there was any asymmetry or weakness of the upper or lower face. When evaluating the subject for facial muscle function, the subject was asked to smile, lift their eyebrows, frown, close their eyes tightly, pucker their lips, and wrinkle their forehead. (Department of Health Sciences, 2014).
The evaluation of the subject’s facial muscles consisted of grading resting posture, voluntary movement, and the presence of synkinesis or abnormal movement, using the Facial Grading System (FGS) developed by Ross, Fradet and Nedzelski. The scores of the FGS range from 0 (complete facial paralysis) to 100 (normal facial function) (Brach & VanSwearingen, 1999). The 3 sections to the FGS - Resting Symmetry, Symmetry of Voluntary Movement, and Synkinesis - are scored individually, and the scores are combined for a composite (total)
The testing of cranial nerve function is an important part of a neurological assessment (Department of Health Sciences, 2014). The brain has twelve main pairs of nerves, called cranial nerves. During a complete neurological assessment, most of the cranial nerves are evaluated to help determine the proper functioning of the brain (Neurological Examination, 2014).
Each cranial nerve is paired and is present in each side of the brain. Cranial nerve I (Olfactory) is the sensory nerve of smell. Cranial nerve II (Optic) is the sensory nerve that carries vision to the brain. Cranial nerve III (Oculomotor) is responsible for pupil size and certain movements of the eye. Cranial nerve IV (Trochlear) is also related to movement of the eyes. …show more content…
The parasympathetic portion of this nerve is responsible for salivary glands and tear, nasal and palatine glands. In addition, this nerve conveys sensory information from the taste buds of the anterior two-thirds of the tongue (Marieb & Hoehn, 2010). Damage to this nerve may result in the sagging or drooping of facial muscles and a disturbed sense of taste (no ability to taste sweet or salty substances) (Marieb & Hoehn, 2010).
The Facial Nerve (CN VII) has five major branches: temporal, zygomatic, buccal, mandibular, and cervical (Marieb & Hoehn, 2010). This nerve originates at the pons, enters the temporal bone “via the internal acoustic meatus, and runs within bone (and through inner ear cavity) before emerging through stylomastoid foramen; the nerve then courses to the lateral aspect of the face” (Marieb & Hoehn, 2010, p. …show more content…
Using the Sunnybrook Facial Grading System, the subject’s face was observed at rest and while speaking to see if there was any asymmetry or weakness of the upper or lower face. When evaluating the subject for facial muscle function, the subject was asked to smile, lift their eyebrows, frown, close their eyes tightly, pucker their lips, and wrinkle their forehead. (Department of Health Sciences, 2014).
The evaluation of the subject’s facial muscles consisted of grading resting posture, voluntary movement, and the presence of synkinesis or abnormal movement, using the Facial Grading System (FGS) developed by Ross, Fradet and Nedzelski. The scores of the FGS range from 0 (complete facial paralysis) to 100 (normal facial function) (Brach & VanSwearingen, 1999). The 3 sections to the FGS - Resting Symmetry, Symmetry of Voluntary Movement, and Synkinesis - are scored individually, and the scores are combined for a composite (total)