Facial Reanimation

Facial nerve paralysis is a devastating injury that can result in blindness, oral incontinence and social handicaps. The muscles of the face are exquisitely designed for both voluntary and involuntary expression.

The facial nerve emerges from the brainstem via the internal auditory canal and exits the brain through the stylomastoid foremen. At this point, the nerve travels a short distance to the pes where it divides into five motor branches--the temporal, zygomatic, buccal, mandibular and cervical branches.

The nerve is responsible for orchestrating an intimately designed facial musculature system. The facial musculature is capable of maintaining tone as well as expressing both voluntary and involuntary emotions.