Which facial nerve is responsible for blowing cheeks?

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From the Research

The buccal branch of the facial nerve is responsible for blowing cheeks, as it innervates the buccinator muscle, which is essential for this action. The facial nerve, also known as cranial nerve VII, plays a crucial role in controlling the muscles of facial expression, including the buccinator muscle in the cheek. When you blow your cheeks, the facial nerve sends signals to the buccinator muscle, causing it to contract and hold air within the oral cavity. The buccal branch of the facial nerve is specifically responsible for innervating the buccinator muscle, making it the primary nerve responsible for blowing cheeks 1.

Key Points

  • The facial nerve has five main divisions that supply different regions of the face, including the buccal branch that innervates the buccinator muscle.
  • The buccal branch of the facial nerve is responsible for controlling the buccinator muscle, which is essential for blowing cheeks.
  • Damage to the facial nerve, particularly the buccal branch, can result in weakness or paralysis of facial muscles, making it difficult or impossible to blow the cheeks.
  • The buccal branch of the facial nerve has a complex relationship with Stensen's duct, with multiple intersections and variations in branching patterns 1.

Clinical Significance

The buccal branch of the facial nerve is clinically significant, as damage to this nerve can result in facial weakness or paralysis, affecting a person's ability to blow their cheeks and perform other facial expressions. Understanding the anatomy of the buccal branch and its relationship with Stensen's duct is essential for surgeons performing facial rejuvenation procedures or other surgeries in the midface region 2, 3, 4.

Evidence-Based Recommendation

Based on the most recent and highest-quality study, the buccal branch of the facial nerve is the primary nerve responsible for blowing cheeks. This study, published in 2019, investigated the anatomy of the buccal branches of the facial nerve and their relationship with Stensen's duct, providing valuable insights into the complex anatomy of the facial nerve 1.

References

1
Research

Clinical significance of buccal branches of the facial nerve and their relationship with the emergence of Stensen's duct: An anatomical study on adult Taiwanese cadavers.

Journal of cranio-maxillo-facial surgery : official publication of the European Association for Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery, 2019

4
Research

Anatomic landmarks of the buccal branches of the facial nerve.

Surgical and radiologic anatomy : SRA, 2006

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Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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