Temporal branches of the facial nerve
Encyclopedia
The temporal branches of the facial nerve, also known as the frontal branch of the facial nerve, crosses the zygomatic arch
to the temporal region, supplying the auriculares anterior and superior, and joining with the zygomaticotemporal branch of the maxillary, and with the auriculotemporal branch of the mandibular
.
The more anterior branches supply the frontalis
, the orbicularis oculi, and corrugator supercilii, and join the supraorbital and lacrimal branches of the ophthalmic
. The temporal branch acts as the efferent limb of the corneal reflex
.
Zygomatic arch
The zygomatic arch or cheek bone is formed by the zygomatic process of temporal bone and the temporal process of the zygomatic bone , the two being united by an oblique suture; the tendon of the Temporalis passes medial to the arch to gain insertion into the coronoid process...
to the temporal region, supplying the auriculares anterior and superior, and joining with the zygomaticotemporal branch of the maxillary, and with the auriculotemporal branch of the mandibular
Mandibular nerve
The mandibular nerve is the largest of the three branches of the trigeminal nerve.-Roots:It is made up of two roots:* a large sensory root proceeding from the inferior angle of the trigeminal ganglion....
.
The more anterior branches supply the frontalis
Frontalis
Frontalis may refer to:* Crista frontalis, the frontal crest, a crest on the internal surface of the squama frontalis of the frontal bone* Frontalis muscle, a thin, quadrilateral fascia muscle located on the front of the head...
, the orbicularis oculi, and corrugator supercilii, and join the supraorbital and lacrimal branches of the ophthalmic
Ophthalmic nerve
The ophthalmic nerve is one of the three branches of the trigeminal nerve, the fifth cranial nerve. The ophthalmic nerve carries only sensory fibers.-Branches:*Nasociliary nerve**sensory root of ciliary ganglion**posterior ethmoidal nerve...
. The temporal branch acts as the efferent limb of the corneal reflex
Corneal reflex
The corneal reflex, also known as the blink reflex, is an involuntary blinking of the eyelids elicited by stimulation of the cornea , or bright light, though could result from any peripheral stimulus. Stimulation should elicit both a direct and consensual response...
.
Testing the temporal branches of the facial nerve
To test the function of the temporal branches of the facial nerve, a patient is asked to frown and wrinkle his or her forehead.External links
- "Branches of Facial Nerve (CN VII)"- http://www.dartmouth.edu/~humananatomy/figures/chapter_47/47-5.HTM