Extratemporal segment of facial nerve

The extratemporal segment of facial nerve (facial nerve proper) begins as the facial nerve exits the temporal bone through the stylomastoid foramen.

After exiting, the facial nerve gives off two branches:

• The posterior auricular nerve (supplying the posterior auricular muscle, the superior auricular muscle, and the occipital belly of the occipitofrontal muscle)

• The digastric nerve (supplying the posterior belly of the digastric muscle and the stylohyoid muscle).

Next, the extratemporal segment of facial nerve enters the parotid gland and gives off two main trunks, the superior temporofacial and inferior cervicofacial trunks. These two trunks give rise to the parotid plexus, and from this plexus, five branches emerge:

• Temporal branches of facial nerve

• Zygomatic branches of facial nerve

• Buccal branches of facial nerve

• Marginal mandibular branch of facial nerve

• Cervical branch of facial nerve