Jurre Blom's profile

Facial Neuropathology

These are some improved versions of illustrations I did a few years ago on facial neuropathology:
The first two images show the difference between a peripheral and central paralysis. With a peripheral paralysis the lesion is localized somewhere below the facial motor nucleus. The lesion causes a paralysis of the entire half of the afflicted (ipsilateral) side of the face, as the innervation from all the facial nerve branches (A to E) is cut. With a central paralysis the lesion is localized somewhere above the facial motor nucleus. The lesion causes a paralysis of the contralateral side of the face. There is still movement possible in the forehead and around the eye, as the temporal branch (A) of the facial nerve is bilaterally innervated.
The third illustration shows hemifacial spasms. Hemifacial spasms are characterized by irregular, involuntary muscle contractions (spasms) in one half (hemi) of the face. Typically the spasms start in the lower eyelid (orbicularis oculi), spread to the rest of the orbicularis oculi and eventually affect the whole side of the face. These spasms are caused by the compression of the facial nerve as it comes out of the brain stem, which can happen because of a tumor, but is more often caused by an artery running too close to the nerve.
Facial Neuropathology
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Facial Neuropathology

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