Name 5 muscles that are affected and list their actions.
Frontalis - This draws the scalp anteriorly. It also raises the eyebrows, and wrinkles the skin of the forehead horizontally.
Orbicularis oculi - This muscle is responsible for closing the eye.
Orbicularis oris - The muscle that closes and protrudes the lips as well as shapes the lips during speech.
Buccinator - This muscle presses the cheeks against the teeth and lips.
Platysma - This muscle is responsible for drawing the outer part of lower lips inferiorly and posteriorly. It also depresses the mandible.
Describe the mechanism of his muscle weakness.
Muscles on one side of the face are weakened usually only temporarily, with very few cases of lifetime facial muscle weakness. The cause of muscle weakness is unknown; however, it is theorized that this is due to the inflammation of the nerve that controls the muscles of one side of the face as a result of a viral infection. Also, it could be caused by trauma to the seventh cranial nerve.
What other symptoms could the patient exhibit as a result of facial muscle weakness?
- Facial drooping
- Drooling
- Jaw pain or pain behind the ear on the affected side
- Increased sound sensitivity of the affected side
- Headaches
- Loss of taste
- Dry eyes or mouth
- Tinnitus or ringing in the ears
- Difficulty in drinking and eating