facial nerve

American  

noun

Anatomy.

1. either one of the seventh pair of cranial nerves composed of motor fibers that control muscles of the face except those used in chewing.

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facial nerve British  

noun

1. the seventh cranial nerve, supplying the muscles controlling facial expression, glands of the palate and nose, and the taste buds in the anterior two-thirds of the tongue

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Etymology

Origin of facial nerve

First recorded in 1810–20

Example Sentences

One of the most surprising discoveries involved the trigeminal nerve, a major facial nerve responsible for facial sensation and certain motor functions.

From Science Daily • May 23, 2026

They offered pioneering treatment that used a high-tech MRI scan which produced a hologram that identified the exact position of the tumour and the facial nerve before the surgery.

From BBC • Mar. 4, 2025

Doctors determined the symptoms were a result of swelling of a facial nerve, “most likely caused by a post-viral infection,” she said.

From Washington Times • Jul. 31, 2023

One side of her face was drooping, apparently from Ramsay Hunt syndrome, which can occur when the shingles virus reaches a facial nerve near the ears.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 19, 2023

In addition, the doctor who had repaired my facial nerve installed a tiny electronic sound transmitter called a cochlear implant deep behind my ear.

From "Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Changed the World" by Malala Yousafzai