Your patient recently had a viral infection and now she cannot move the muscles on the right side of her face. In addition, she is experiencing a loss of taste and dry mouth and she cannot close her right eye. Which cranial nerves have been affected by the viral infection?
The VII Facial cranial nerve was affected by the viral infection. This nerve is in charge of controlling facial muscle expressions (forehead, eyelids, cheeks, mouth, and jaw) and the anterior two-thirds of the tongue and palate. Facial weakness, decreased sensation behind the ears, diminished sense of taste, and insufficient production of tears and saliva are the effects of the damaged VII facial cranial nerve.
SOURCES
MSc., C. L. (2022, August 25). Facial nerve (cranial nerve VII). Kenhub. Retrieved October 5, 2022, from https://www.kenhub.com/en/library/anatomy/facial-nerve
What to Know About Craial Nerve 7 (Facial Nerve). (2022, May 24). Verywell Health. Retrieved October 5, 2022, from https://www.verywellhealth.com/cranial-nerve-7-5270869