The topographic anatomy of the facial nerve is rather confusing, which is explained by the fact that it passes through the facial canal of the temporal bone, taking and giving out the processes.
Where does it originate?
It departs immediately from three cores:motor, secretory and sensitive fibers. Then, through the auditory opening, the facial nerve passes into the thickness of the temporal bone into the internal auditory canal. Here an intermediate nerve is added to it, and a knee is formed on the bend of the canal, which, taking the shape of the knot, gives the intermediate nerve a property of sensitivity. Anatomy of the facial nerve and the scheme will be discussed in this article.
Separation into sprouts
To enter the parotid gland, facialthe nerve is divided into separate outgrowths: the lingual branch, the posterior auric nerve, the two-abdominal and the shilo-lingual branch. Intermediate gives such branches as stenotic and stony nerves, connective tissue with a drum weave and with a vagus nerve, an end branch (a drum string). The anatomy of the facial nerve is unique.
Branches
One more time the facial nerve dissolves in the thicknessparotid gland, giving two main branches - a small lower and a powerful upper, which then also branch, and radially: upward, forward and downward to the muscles of the face. As a result, the parotid plexus is formed.
The facial nerve (the anatomy diagram will be presented in the photo) consists of the following parts:
- the nerve trunk (if more accurately, its processes);
- space cortex of the hemispheres, responsible for the work of mimic muscles;
- nuclei located between the bridge and the medulla oblongata;
- lymph nodes and a grid of capillaries feeding nerve cells.
Functions
Anatomy of the facial nerve (the scheme is placed above) is considered. Now let's talk about its functions.
The main task of the facial nerve is to providemotor functions of the face. However, everything is complicated by the fact that before its branching into small parts it intertwines with the intervening nerve and partially shares its responsibilities with it. Through the internal auditory opening they move into the tunnel of the facial nerve, where a knee is formed from it, which provides the sensory to the intermediate nerve.
The facial nerve is the basis of the motor activity of almost all facial muscles, but in combination with the intervening nerve, it has taste and secretory fibers.
The pattern of the fibers of the facial nerve is very interesting and must be carefully considered.
Lesions of the facial nerve
In the event of a violation of the work orthere is paralysis of the motor muscles of the face. Visually, its asymmetry is observed: the relaxed part has a mask effect due to its immobility, the eye on the affected side does not close, lacrimation increases due to the fact that the mucosa irritates with dust and air, which in turn can cause conjunctivitis. Wrinkles on the forehead and the area around the nose and lips are straightened, the corners of the mouth pointing down, a person can not wrinkle his forehead.
The human face is often affected by the facial nerve (its branches, their anatomy and topography are detailed in the photo).
If, for some reason, the main one is affected,motor function, then we are talking about peripheral paralysis. It is characterized by the following external signs: paralysis of the muscles responsible for facial expressions, complete asymmetry of the face, the speech apparatus is broken, it is possible to take liquids only in a limited way. If the nerve was struck while it was located in the pyramidal bone, then in addition to the above signs, deafness and a lack of taste sensations are also noted.
Неврит – характеризующееся воспалительным the process of neurological disease. It can appear on the central part of the face and on the periphery. Symptoms depend on the area of the affected nerve. The disease develops either due to hypothermia (primary neuritis) or as a complication of other diseases (secondary).
It is characterized by an acute onset, pain gives forear, after a few days there is asymmetry of the face. Symptoms may vary depending on the affected part. With violations of the nucleus of the facial nerve, a person appears muscular weakness of the face. With the infringement of the nerve in the area of the bridge of the brain, strabismus occurs, as well as paralysis of almost the entire musculature of the face. If the infringement occurs at the exit, the result will be a violation or short-term hearing loss. Of importance is the facial nerve of man. The structure, functions and problems have been studied for a long time.
In chronic otitis, neuritis can haveconcomitant, arising from inflammation in the middle ear, so it may be accompanied by a feeling of lumbago. If accompanied by parotitis, then symptoms of general intoxication appear - chills, body aches, high fever.
Principles of therapy
The treatment scheme of the facial nerve in case of infringements and inflammatory processes must necessarily be complex. Therapy includes:
- diuretics that remove fluid from the capillary network;
- glucocorticosteroid drugs;
- drugs that dilate blood vessels;
- vitamins (usually group B).
Подобное лечение устраняет основную причину diseases, as inflammation of the facial nerve is often the result of another disease, a secondary disease. Nervous ailments are often accompanied by very unpleasant feelings, therefore, the patient is prescribed analgesic drugs. To make the treatment faster and more effective, facial muscles need to be completely restful.
The complex treatment also includesphysiotherapy. From the second week of the disease, it is allowed to apply face massage and exercise therapy with a gradually increasing load. Surgical intervention is required very rarely. Surgical treatment is indicated when neuralgia is congenital or arising after a mechanical injury. The operation of this kind is that the incorrectly fused and torn nerve endings are stitched together. Also, surgery is legitimate with the ineffectiveness of drug treatment for six months (a maximum of eight months). If you ignore the process and do not use these methods of therapy, the muscles of the face can completely atrophy without the possibility of further recovery. The only way out is surgical plastic surgery of the face, the material for which is taken from the victim's foot.
Conclusion
Thus, with timely requests formedical care and proper treatment, recovery and recovery will be quite long, but the prognosis remains favorable. To avoid relapse, you need to monitor your health, avoid hypothermia, and promptly treat inflammatory processes such as sore throat, ARVI, etc.
We have examined the facial nerve - the anatomy and symptoms of damage, and also describes the principles of treatment.
