N3 Anatomy and Physiology AY 2023-2024

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 co-morbidities. 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?

Image from: http://www.microbiologynutsandbolts.co.uk/the-bug-blog/ringing-the-infection-bell-about-facial-nerve-palsy