NERVE LIBRARY · Head, neck & respiratory
Facial nerve
Facial nerve · CN VII
Facial motor conduction and blink reflexes provide information about different parts of the pathway.
- Roots / nucleus
- Facial motor nucleus in the pons
- Function
- Facial motor testing focus
- 3D protocols
- Advanced localization guide
01Course and sensory territory
This guide concerns facial motor function. Routine facial CMAP does not assess the nerve's sensory and parasympathetic functions.
02Motor supply
Orbicularis oculi/oris, nasalis and frontalis.
03Localization clues
Facial motor conduction and blink reflexes provide information about different parts of the pathway.
04Combine the studies
Keep recording technique and time since onset consistent when comparing facial CMAPs. Blink reflex input is V1 and output is VII.
Related muscles
Connect to a clinical question
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References and further reading
- Facial nerve electrodiagnostics for patients with facial palsy: a clinical practice guideline (2020) ↗Guntinas-Lichius et al. · European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology · Clinical guideline · Link accessed 2026-09-08
- F wave, A wave, H reflex, and blink reflex (2019) ↗Handbook of Clinical Neurology · Peer-reviewed review · Link accessed 2026-09-08
Educational synthesis; independent neuromuscular specialist review is pending. Publication dates and compilation dates are distinct. This is an original teaching synthesis; consult the source for complete methods and criteria.