The facial nerve traditionally has five main peripheral branches.
These branches are:
- Temporal
- Zygomatic
- Buccal
- Marginal mandibular
- Cervical
While these five are the standard branches, it's important to note that the facial nerve's branching pattern can be quite variable beyond the pes anserinus, which is the point where the main trunk of the facial nerve divides into these branches. This variability is a key characteristic of the nerve's anatomy. Therefore, while the five listed are the primary and well-recognized branches, the precise branching beyond this can differ significantly between individuals.
| Branch Name | Area Innervated |
|---|---|
| Temporal | Muscles of the forehead, such as the frontalis and orbicularis oculi muscle portions. |
| Zygomatic | Muscles of the upper cheek, the orbicularis oculi, and some facial muscles. |
| Buccal | Muscles of the mid-face, such as the buccinator muscle and orbicularis oris muscle. |
| Marginal mandibular | Muscles of the lower lip and chin. |
| Cervical | Muscles of the neck, such as the platysma. |
Therefore, although there can be variability past the pes anserinus, the main branches are five.
