The temporal branch of the facial nerve, also known as the frontal branch, is a motor nerve responsible for controlling specific muscles in the face.
Function and Innervation
- Motor Nerve: It's a motor nerve, meaning it transmits signals from the brain to muscles, enabling movement.
- Muscle Innervation: According to the provided reference, the temporal branch innervates the following muscles:
- Frontalis: Raises the eyebrows and wrinkles the forehead.
- Orbicularis Oculi (portions): Closes the eyelids.
- Corrugator Supercilii: Draws the eyebrows medially and downwards, creating vertical wrinkles above the nose.
- Procerus: Depresses the medial end of the eyebrow and wrinkles the skin over the nose.
Course
The temporal branch traverses the superficial fat pad above the superficial temporal fascia toward the lateral brow. This location is important to consider during surgical procedures in the area.
In summary, the temporal branch of the facial nerve is critical for facial expressions involving the forehead, eyebrows, and upper eyelids.
