The temporal branches of the facial nerve (frontal branch of the facial nerve) crosses the
zygomatic arch
In anatomy, the zygomatic arch, or cheek bone, is a part of the skull formed by the zygomatic process of the temporal bone (a bone extending forward from the side of the skull, over the opening of the ear) and the temporal process of the zygomati ...
to the temporal region, supplying the
auriculares anterior and superior, and joining with the
zygomaticotemporal branch of the
maxillary nerve
In neuroanatomy, the maxillary nerve (V) is one of the three branches or divisions of the trigeminal nerve, the fifth (CN V) cranial nerve. It comprises the principal functions of sensation from the maxilla, nasal cavity, sinuses, the palate a ...
, and with the
auriculotemporal branch of the
mandibular nerve
In neuroanatomy, the mandibular nerve (V) is the largest of the three divisions of the trigeminal nerve, the fifth cranial nerve (CN V). Unlike the other divisions of the trigeminal nerve (ophthalmic nerve, maxillary nerve) which contain only aff ...
.
The more anterior branches supply the
frontalis, the
orbicularis oculi
The orbicularis oculi is a muscle in the face that closes the eyelids. It arises from the nasal part of the frontal bone, from the frontal process of the maxilla in front of the lacrimal groove, and from the anterior surface and borders of a short ...
, and
corrugator supercilii
The corrugator supercilii muscle is a small, narrow, pyramidal muscle close to the eye. It arises from the medial end of the superciliary arch, and inserts into the deep surface of the skin of the eyebrow. It draws the eyebrow downward and medi ...
, and join the
supraorbital and
lacrimal branches of the
ophthalmic. The temporal branch acts as the efferent limb of the
corneal reflex
The corneal reflex, also known as the blink reflex or eyelid reflex, is an involuntary blinking of the eyelids elicited by stimulation of the cornea (such as by touching or by a foreign body), though it could result from any peripheral stimulus. S ...
.
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 their forehead.
Additional images
File:Lateral head anatomy detail.jpg, Lateral head anatomy detail
File:Slide1BAB.JPG, Lateral head anatomy detail.Dissection the newborn
File:Slide1CAC.JPG, Lateral head anatomy detail.Facial nerve dissection.
External links
* - "Branches of Facial Nerve (CN VII)"
* ()
* ()
* http://www.dartmouth.edu/~humananatomy/figures/chapter_47/47-5.HTM
References
Facial nerve
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