Question #381
Which of the following statements is true considering the course of facial nerve?
The facial root passes from the brainstem with the nervus intermedius and the vestibulocochlear nerve. Technically it is only once these fibres have passed through the internal acoustic meatus that the facial root fuses with the nervus intermedius to form the facial nerve.
The facial nerve then runs through the facial canal, branching to form the greater petrosal nerve. This branching forms the geniculate ganglion, also known as the genu.
The facial nerve continues, passing close to the posterior surface of the tympanic membrane where it gives off the chorda tympani before descending through the stylomastoid foramen and emerges deep to the mastoid process.
The nerve then passes through the parotid gland, running lateral to the retromandibular vein before dividing into upper and lower divisions.
The nervus intermedius carries parasympathetic and sensory fibres.
The nerve to occipitalis branches off before the facial nerve runs through the parotid gland.
The facial nerve is usually protected by the mastoid process. However, this is not yet formed in babies putting it at risk during forceps delivery.