---
title: "Anatomy of Facial Nerve – Branches"
description: "ENT notes on the Branches of the Facial Nerve."
source: "The ENT Resident"
author: "Dr. Mausumi Das"
canonical_url: "https://www.theentresident.com/ent-notes-lectures/facial-nerve-branches"
categories: ["Otology"]
video: "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wL3gdqziF2M"
image: "https://media.theentresident.com/og-images/facial-nerve-branches.png"
---

# Anatomy of Facial Nerve – Branches

ENT notes on the Branches of the Facial Nerve. Watch the full video lecture on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wL3gdqziF2M

## Anatomy of the Facial Nerve - Branches

The **facial nerve (cranial nerve VII)** is a mixed nerve that carries motor, sensory, and parasympathetic fibers. 

Its branches can be categorized based on their origin along the nerve's course:

### 1. Branch from the Geniculate Ganglion

**a. Greater Superficial Petrosal Nerve (GSPN)**

- **Origin**: Arises from the geniculate ganglion.

- **Function**: Carries preganglionic parasympathetic fibers to the pterygopalatine ganglion.

- **Course**: 

  - Passes through the facial hiatus → middle cranial fossa
  - Joins the deep petrosal nerve at the foramen lacerum
  - Forms the nerve of the pterygoid canal (vidian nerve) → pterygopalatine ganglion

---

### 2. Branches within the Facial Canal

**a. Nerve to Stapedius**

- **Origin**: Arises from the facial nerve within the facial canal.

- **Function**: Innervates the stapedius muscle, which stabilizes the stapes bone in the middle ear.

**b. Chorda Tympani**

- **Origin**: Branches ~5 mm proximal to the stylomastoid foramen.

- **Function**: 

  - Taste sensation from anterior 2/3rd of the tongue
  - Parasympathetic fibers to submandibular and sublingual glands

- **Course**: 
  - Enters tympanic cavity → crosses tympanic membrane
  - Exits via petrotympanic fissure → joins lingual nerve in infratemporal fossa

---

### 3. Branches after Exiting the Stylomastoid Foramen

**a. Posterior Auricular Nerve**

- **Origin**: Arises immediately after exiting the stylomastoid foramen.

- **Function**:

  - Motor supply to:
    - Occipital belly of occipitofrontalis
    - Auricular muscles
  - Communicates with the auricular branch of the vagus nerve

**b. Muscular Branches**

- **Innervate**:
  - Posterior belly of digastric muscle
  - Stylohyoid muscle

---

### 4. Terminal Branches within the Parotid Gland

After entering the parotid gland, the facial nerve divides into:

- **Temporofacial Division**
- **Cervicofacial Division**

These give rise to **five terminal branches**:

1. **Temporal Branch**  
   - Frontalis  
   - Orbicularis oculi  
   - Corrugator supercilii  

2. **Zygomatic Branch**  
   - Orbicularis oculi  
   - Zygomaticus major and minor  

3. **Buccal Branch**  
   - Buccinator  
   - Orbicularis oris  

4. **Marginal Mandibular Branch**  
   - Depressor anguli oris  
   - Mentalis  

5. **Cervical Branch**  
   - Platysma

---

### 5. Communicating Branches

**a. Auricular Branch of the Vagus Nerve (Arnold's Nerve)**

- **Communication**: Posterior auricular nerve ↔ Auricular branch of vagus nerve

- **Function**: Sensory innervation to:
  - External ear (concha)
  - External acoustic meatus

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## About This Note

This free ENT note on Anatomy of Facial Nerve – Branches was written by Dr. Mausumi Das and is paired with a corresponding video lecture.

Canonical page of this note: https://www.theentresident.com/ent-notes-lectures/facial-nerve-branches

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