5 muscles that are affected by Bell’s Palsy and its actions:
- Frontalis – action: Draws the scalp forward, elevates the eyebrows, and horizontally creases the skin of the forehead.
- Orbicularis oculi – action: Eye closure and squinting, upper eyelid depression, and lower eyelid elevation.
- Orbicularis oris – action: During speech, closes and protrudes lips, compresses lips against teeth, and forms lips.
- Buccinator – action: Presses cheeks against teeth and lips, as in whistling, blowing, and sucking; drags corner of mouth laterally; and aids in chewing by retaining food between the teeth.
- Platysma – action: As with pouting, the outer portion of the lower lip is drawn inferiorly and posteriorly, while the mandible is depressed.
Describe the mechanism of his muscle weakness:
- The facial expressive muscles are unilaterally paralyzed in Bell's palsy, commonly known as facial paralysis. It is caused by damage to or illness of the facial (VII) nerve. Possible causes include inflammation of the face nerve caused by an ear infection, facial nerve injury caused by ear surgery, or infection with the herpes simplex virus. In extreme cases of facial paralysis, the entire side of the face droops. On the affected side, the individual is unable to furrow their forehead, close their eye, or purse their lips. Additionally, there is drooling and trouble swallowing. Within a few weeks to a few months, 80% of patients recover completely. Others are permanently paralyzed. Bell's palsy resembles the symptoms of a stroke.
What other symptoms could the patient exhibit as a result of facial muscle weakness?
- Loss of facial creases and nasolabial fold
- Corner of mouth droops
- Aching of the ear or mastoid
- Alteration of taste
- Tingling or numbness of the cheek or mouth/Preserved facial sensation
- Blurred vision
- Ocular pain
- Hyperacusis
- Decreased tear production