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 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 An incision is made along the ear, avoiding damage to the facial nerve. Adrienne Dellwo, Verywell Health, 15 July 2022 See all Example Sentences for facial nerve 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'facial nerve.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1798, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of facial nerve was in 1798

Dictionary Entries Near facial nerve

Cite this Entry

“Facial nerve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/facial%20nerve. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on facial nerve

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