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

As the facial nerve was wrapped round the tumour, the 28-year-old was warned surgery could cause partial facial paralysis, which could prevent her from being able to smile.

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

Even so, the cancer cells in her facial nerve had to have come from someplace.

From New York Times • Sep. 29, 2022

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