Anatomy & Histology · single question
Through which foramen does the facial nerve (CN VII) exit the skull to enter the parotid gland region?
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Correct answer: D. Stylomastoid foramen
- A. The foramen ovale transmits CN V3 (mandibular division of trigeminal) — not the facial nerve.
- B. The internal acoustic meatus (internal auditory canal) transmits CN VII and CN VIII within the temporal bone — but this is the ENTRY, not exit point. CN VII exits the skull at the stylomastoid foramen.
- C. The jugular foramen transmits CN IX (glossopharyngeal), X (vagus), and XI (accessory) — not CN VII.
- D. CORRECT. The facial nerve exits the skull through the STYLOMASTOID FORAMEN (between the styloid and mastoid processes of the temporal bone). After exiting, it immediately gives off the posterior auricular nerve and enters the parotid gland, where it divides into its five branches (temporal, zygomatic, buccal, marginal mandibular, cervical).
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