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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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 See all Example Sentences for facial nerve 

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 23 Dec. 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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