Cranial Nerves - CNVII (Facial Nerve)

Cranial Nerves – CNVII (Facial Nerve)
025-cnVII

CN VII (Facial Nerve)

•

Function

Motor to the muscles of facial expression
Sensory to the rostral 2/3 of the tongue and the inner surface of the pinna
PS to the lacrimal glands

•

Assessment

Evaluate the patient’s facial symmetry. The lips, eyelids, or ears may droop on the affected side or the nose may be deviated.

1.	Motor Menace reflex (afferent from CN II) Palpebral reflex (afferent from CN V) Corneal Reflex
2.	Lacrimation Schirmer’s tear test
3.	Taste A cotton swab soaked in atropine is touched to the rostral tongue. A normal response is an immediate reaction to the bitter taste. A delayed reaction should not be interpreted as normal as it is likely due to the spread of atropine to a normal part of the tongue.
4.	Sensory to ear Stimulate the inner surface of the pinna.