The facial nerve is also known as the seventh cranial nerve (CN VII). It's a cranial nerve that emerges from the pons of the brainstem and controls facial movement and expression.
The facial nerve is responsible for:
- Motor functions: Controlling the muscles of facial expression, allowing us to smile, frown, wrinkle our nose, and close our eyes.
- Sensory functions: Carrying taste sensations from the front two-thirds of the tongue.
- Parasympathetic functions: Controlling the production of saliva and tears.
The facial nerve can be affected by various conditions, such as Bell's palsy, which causes temporary facial paralysis.
