Facial nerve


Facial nerve: The facial nerve is the seventh cranial nerve. It is a mixed nerve that has fibers both going out and coming in (both efferent and afferent fibers). It supplies the muscles of facial expression.

Paralysis of the facial nerve causes a characteristic picture with drooping of one side of the face, inability to wrinkle the forehead, inability to whistle, inability to close the eye and deviation of the mouth toward the other side of the face. Paralysis of the facial nerve is called Bell’s palsy.

Read Also:

  • Facial nerve paralysis

    Facial nerve paralysis: Loss of voluntary movement of the muscles of one side of the face due to abnormal function of the facial nerve. Paralysis of the facial nerve causes a characteristic drooping of one side of the face, inability to wrinkle the forehead, inability to whistle, inability to close an eye, and deviation of […]

  • Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy

    Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy: A form of muscular dystrophy that typically begins before age 20 with slowly progressive weakness of the muscles of the face, shoulders, and feet. The severity of the disease is quite variable. Although most people with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) retain the ability to walk, about 20% require a wheelchair. Life expectancy […]

  • Factor V

    Factor V: A coagulation factor needed for the normal clotting of blood. Also known as proaccelerin.

  • Factor V Leiden

    Factor V Leiden: A genetic disorder of blood coagulation (clotting) that carries an increased risk of venous thromboembolism — the formation of clots in veins that may break loose and travel through the bloodstream to the lungs or brain. On the molecular level, factor V Leiden is characterized by a G to A substitution at […]

  • Factor VIII

    Factor VIII: Factor eight, a key factor in the process of blood coagulation (clotting). Lack of normal factor VIII causes hemophilia (hemophilia A). The gene for classic hemophilia was long known to be on the X chromosome. Females carry the gene and transmit it to their hemophiliac sons. Female carriers are normal since they have […]


Disclaimer: Facial nerve definition / meaning should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. All content on this website is for informational purposes only.