Anatomy & Histology · patient case question
Which muscle is innervated by the facial nerve?
Patient case: Unilateral Facial Weakness
demo: 49-year-old male
chief: “I woke up and the right side of my face was drooping.”
history: Recent upper respiratory infection. No prior neurologic events.
meds: None
findings: Drooping of the right corner of the mouth with inability to purse the lips or retain fluid. Forehead wrinkling and eye closure are preserved on the affected side. No sensory deficit. Nerve pathway illustrated below.
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: C. Buccinator
- A. The anterior belly of digastric is supplied by the nerve to mylohyoid from CN V3; the posterior belly is supplied by CN VII.
- B. The lateral pterygoid is also CN V3.
- C. Correct. Despite its deep position and role in keeping the food bolus on the occlusal table, buccinator is a muscle of facial expression and is supplied by the buccal branch of CN VII.
- D. Temporalis is a muscle of mastication supplied by CN V3.
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