Affected Muscles:
A. Occipitofrontalis - Draws scalp anteriorly, raises eyebrows, and wrinkles skin of forehead horizontally
B. Orbicularis oculi - Closes eyes
C. Orbicularis oris - Closes and protrudes lips, compresses lips against teeth, and shapes lips during speech
D. Buccinator - Presses cheeks against teeth and lips, draws corner of mouth laterally, and assists in chewing by keeping food between the teeth
E. Platysma - Elevates and protrudes lower lip and pulls skin of chin up
Mechanism of Muscle Weakness: Bell’s palsy is a unilateral paralysis of the muscles of facial expression. It is due to damage or disease of the facial (VII) nerve.
Other Symptoms:
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Loss of the sense of taste on the front 2/3 of the tongue.
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Hypersensitivity to sound in the affected ear (hyperacusis)
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Drooling
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Headache
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Tearing