Activity 4
This is patient AM, 28-year-old male who came in the ER because of drooping of his left face. He said he woke up and he could not move his left face. He has no other muscle weakness. He is conscious and coherent although he had a little difficulty speaking because the left side of his lips drooped. He had normal blood pressure, and he had no other comorbidities. He was diagnosed to have Bell’s palsy. Name 5 muscles which are affected and list its actions. Describe the mechanism of his muscle weakness. What other symptoms could the patient exhibit as a result of facial muscle weakness?
Muscles that are affected on the left side of the face (affected side):
1. Orbicularis Oculi
- Action: Closes eye
2. Zygomaticus Major
- Action: Draws angle of mouth superiorly and laterally, as in smiling.
3. Zygomaticus Minor
- Action: Raises upper lip, exposing maxillary (upper) teeth
4. Levator labii superioris
- Action: Raises upper lip
5. Orbicularis oris
- Action: Closes and protrudes lips
Bell’s palsy, also known as facial paralysis, is condition that causes paralysis in the muscles of the face. It may be caused by inflammation of facial nerves due to ear infection, ear surgery that may damage facial nerves, or infection caused by Hermes simplex. The paralysis is temporary most of the time, but it can be permanent in severe cases. Drooling and difficulty in swallowing may also occur depending on the affected or damaged nerves.
Tortora, G. J., & Derrickson, B. H. (2011). Principles of Anatomy and Physiology. Wiley.