Facial nerve segments

The path of the facial nerve can be divided into six segments:

• Intracranial (cisternal) segment

• Meatal (canalicular) segment (within the internal auditory canal)

• Labyrinthine segment (internal auditory canal to geniculate ganglion)

• Tympanic segment (from geniculate ganglion to pyramidal eminence)

• Mastoid segment (from pyramidal eminence to stylomastoid foramen)

• Extratemporal segment (from stylomastoid foramen to post parotid branches)