Anatomy & Histology · single question
What foramen does the facial nerve (CN VII) pass through?
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Correct answer: A. Stylomastoid foramen
The facial nerve (CN VII) exits the skull through the STYLOMASTOID FORAMEN (located between the styloid process and mastoid process). After exiting through the stylomastoid foramen, it enters the parotid gland and branches into its five main branches (temporal, zygomatic, buccal, marginal mandibular, cervical) to innervate the muscles of facial expression.
- A. CORRECT. CN VII exits the skull at the STYLOMASTOID FORAMEN. Damage here (from mastoid surgery, trauma, infection) causes peripheral facial palsy affecting all branches below the forehead.
- B. INCORRECT. The foramen ovale transmits the mandibular branch of the trigeminal nerve (CN V3), the lesser petrosal nerve, and the accessory meningeal artery — not CN VII.
- C. INCORRECT. The external acoustic meatus is the ear canal opening — CN VII passes through the internal auditory canal (along with CN VIII) but exits through the STYLOMASTOID foramen, not the external meatus.
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