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Facial Nerve Motor Function — NDEB AFK MCQ

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EasyBiomedical SciencesFacial Nerve Motor FunctionNDEB AFK

Which cranial nerve provides motor innervation to the muscles of facial expression?

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Correct answer: AFacial nerve (CN VII)

The facial nerve (CN VII) provides motor innervation to all muscles of facial expression (including orbicularis oculi, orbicularis oris, buccinator, zygomaticus, frontalis, platysma, and stapedius). It emerges from the stylomastoid foramen and passes through or near the parotid gland, dividing into temporal, zygomatic, buccal, marginal mandibular, and cervical branches. CN V provides motor innervation to the muscles of mastication, not facial expression.

Reference: Moore – Clinically Oriented Anatomy, 9th ed., 2019