facial nucleus

Introduction

Somatic motor nucleus of CN 7.

• anterolaterally displaced in the pons
• fibers travel posteriorly, around the abducens nucleus (CN 6) then exit anterolaterally
• fibers originating in facial nucleus innervate:
  • muscles of facial expression
  • stapedius

More general terms

• cranial nerve nucleus

Additional terms

• facial nerve (CN VII)

Component of

• pons