facial nerve

noun

: either of the seventh pair of cranial nerves that supply motor fibers especially to the muscles of the face and jaw and sensory and parasympathetic fibers to the tongue, palate, and fauces

Examples of facial nerve in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The team mapped the delicate facial nerves of both the donor and the recipient to aid with this effort. —Matt Robison, Newsweek, 20 Nov. 2024

It’s caused by inflammation of the facial nerve called cranial nerve 7. —Laura Dorwart, Verywell Health, 13 Aug. 2024

Microvascular decompression surgery may be considered in some cases for hemifacial spasms to relieve pressure on the facial nerve causing the spasms, but surgical options are invasive and can carry certain risks, ophthalmologists said. —Lindsey Bever, Washington Post, 27 July 2024

Bell’s palsy—an inflammation that affects the facial nerves—can also sometimes show up and cause your face to get weak or droop on one side. —Julia Sullivan, SELF, 6 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1798, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

facial nerve

noun

: either of the seventh pair of cranial nerves that supply motor fibers especially to the muscles of the face and jaw and sensory and parasympathetic fibers to the tongue, palate, and fauces

called also seventh cranial nerve, seventh nerve