The parotid plexus or plexus parotideus is the branch point of the

facial nerve The facial nerve, also known as the seventh cranial nerve, cranial nerve VII, or simply CN VII, is a cranial nerve that emerges from the pons of the brainstem, controls the muscles of facial expression, and functions in the conveyance of taste ...

(extratemporal) after it leaves the stylomastoid foramen. This division takes place within the

parotid gland The parotid gland is a major salivary gland in many animals. In humans, the two parotid glands are present on either side of the mouth and in front of both ears. They are the largest of the salivary glands. Each parotid is wrapped around the ma ...

Branches

Commonly, it divides into the following branches (several variations): #The temporal branches, cross the zygomatic arch to the temporal region. #The zygomatic branches, cross the zygomatic bone to the orbit. #The

buccal branches The buccal branches of the facial nerve (infraorbital branches), are of larger size than the rest of the branches, pass horizontally forward to be distributed below the orbit and around the mouth. Branches The ''superficial branches'' run beneath ...

, pass forward to below the orbit and around the mouth. #The marginal mandibular branch passes forward to the lower lip and chin. #The cervical branch runs forward forming a series of arches over the suprahyoid region to the

platysma muscle The platysma muscle is a superficial muscle of the human neck that overlaps the sternocleidomastoid. It covers the anterior surface of the neck superficially. When it contracts, it produces a slight wrinkling of the neck, and a "bowstring" effect ...

References

External links

* http://www.dartmouth.edu/~humananatomy/figures/chapter_47/47-5.HTM * () Nerves {{Neuroanatomy-stub