Facial nerve
Photograph of facial nerve during a facial nerve preserving parotidectomy for benign parotid tumor! The facial nerve normally courses and divides within the core of the parotid gland. Any surgical procedure involving the parotid gland (parotidectomy for a benign tumor for example) requires precise identification and preservation of the facial nerve fibers.This nerve not only carries nerve impulses to the muscles of the face, but also to the tear glands, to the saliva glands, and to the muscle of the stirrup bone in the middle ear (the stapes). It also transmits taste from the front of the tongue. Since the function of the facial nerve is so complex, many symptoms may occur when the fibers of the facial nerve are disrupted.Photo credit @mhmtschahtuer
