CN VII Course


The facial nerve exits the brainstem lateral to the abducens nerve at the pontomedullary junction. It travels with CN VIII through the cerebellopontine angle cistern to the internal auditory canal. It then travels through the facial canal in the temporal bone to the geniculate ganglion (where the cell bodies for taste neurons are found). Here it branches to form the greater petrosal nerve (lacrimal, submandibular glands). Just distal to the geniculate ganglion, it divides to form the chorda tympani nerve (taste). It then passes out of the cranium through the stylomastoid foramen and provides innervation for the muscles of facial expression. Facial nuclei are located in the pons and rostral medulla.        

  1. Gross Cross Section
  2. Cartoon