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?
Given the following descriptions, possible diagnosis would be a viral infection known as Bell’s Palsy. This viral neuropathy manifests with the temporary to permanent weakness or paralysis of the muscles in the face. Since the patient experiences paralysis of the motor muscles on the right side of her face as well as sensory dysfunction in the form of loss of taste and drying of the mouth, the FACIAL NERVE (VII) is the primary cranial nerve affected as it generally facilitates the sensory functions of taste and motor functions of facial expressions and/or movements.