Facial nerve root (CN VII)

Radix nervi facialis

NervousOrgansHead

View in 3D

What it is
Emerges at the cerebellopontine angle at the lateral end of the pontomedullary junction, with the smaller nervus intermedius between it and CN VIII. Shown as a short stub on both sides; the nerve continues in the peripheral nervous system.
Function
Motor to the muscles of facial expression; taste from the front of the tongue; tear and saliva secretion.
Size
Stub about 1 cm; root 2.6 mm thick
Clinical note
An acoustic neuroma in the cerebellopontine angle stretches it together with CN VIII.

Nearby nervous structures Abducens nerve root (CN VI), Accessory nerve root (CN XI), Fourth ventricle, Glossopharyngeal nerve root (CN IX), Medulla oblongata, Pons, Trigeminal nerve root (CN V), Trochlear nerve root (CN IV), Vagus nerve root (CN X), Vestibulocochlear nerve root (CN VIII)