!Facial Nerve
!!Anatomy
The facial nerve is the seventh cranial nerve (cranial nerve VII). It emerges from the brain stem between the pons and the medulla, and controls the ((Musculoskeletal - Skeletal Muscles|muscles)) of __facial expression__, and functions in the conveyance of __taste sensations__ from the anterior two-thirds of the ((Digestive - Mouth, Tongue - Endodermal Mucosa|tongue and oral cavity)) . It also supplies preganglionic parasympathetic fibers to several head and neck ganglia. The main function of the facial nerve is ((Nervous - Motoric Innervation|motor control)) of most of the muscles of facial expression. It also innervates the posterior belly of the digastric muscle, the stylohyoid muscle, and the stapedius muscle of the ((Sensory - Ear Middle - Ossicles, muscles and cartilage|middle ear)). All of these muscles are striated muscles of branchiomeric origin developing from the 2nd pharyngeal arch.

The facial nerve is essential for the __[https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/conquer-fear-flying/201211/using-the-social-engagement-system|Social Engagement System]__ (SES) for stress relief (see [http://stephenporges.com/index.php/scientific-articles/scientific-articles/publicationss/3-the-polyvagal-perspective|Polyvagal Theory]). . 

{img fileId="126" thumb="y" rel="box[g]"} 

!!Brain
{img fileId="129" thumb="y" rel="box[g]"} graphic: Wikipedia, Patrick Lynch

!!!Relay:
1. __Cerebral Cortex__ / N Facialis ( - / + ) for ((Nervous - Motoric Innervation|motoric)) and ((Nervous - Sensory Innervation|sensory)) functions
{img fileId="104" thumb="box"}

2. __Cerebral Medulla__ / N Facialis ( - / + ) in "head area" for ((Musculoskeletal - Skeletal Muscles|muscle trophic))
{img fileId="175" thumb="box"}

3. __Brain Stem__ / N Facialis (+/-) dorso-medial left & right, for part of sensory functions (((Digestive - Mouth, Tongue - Endodermal Mucosa|tongue))), unvoluntary motoric, ((Digestive - Mouth - Salivary Glands|secretory))  and ((Digestive - Mouth, Tongue - Endodermal Mucosa|absorptive)) functions
{img fileId="190" thumb="box"}

!!Mind
!!!Theme:
1. Social fear of losing one´s face or having to keep a straight face

2. Self-Devaluation because of losing one´s face

3. Gustatory conflict (see Digestive System ((Digestive - Mouth, Tongue - Endodermal Mucosa|tongue)), ((Digestive - Mouth - Salivary Glands|salivary glands)))

!!!Emotions, Thoughts:
__Shame, fear, disgust__
*I have to keep a straight face.
*I am making a fool of myself.
*I can't keep smiling.
*I couldn't make them feel safe with me.
*I can't wipe it off my face.
*This tastes disgusting!

!!!META-Meaning:
I love and forgive myself and let go of what others might think of me.

!!Organ
!!!Stress Phase Symptoms:
No cellular but functional change: Functional loss and a paralysis or paresis (partial paralysis) of the facial nerve and muscles (often diagnosed as stroke or Bell's palsy). This can include both motoric and/or sensory functions (paresthesia). Muscle tissue may weaken and show atrophy. Loss of taste, reduced saliva secretion, reduced production of ((Sensory - Eyes - Lacrimal Gland|lacrimal)) fluid are possible, as well as hypersensitivity to sound ( ((Sensory - Ear Middle - Tympanic Cavity|hyperacusis)) ) and loss of the stapedius reflex.

!!!Regeneration Phase A:
By the development of brain edema, impulse transmission gets limited and further loss of function can occur. Bell's palsy (or stroke) may also be diagnosed in this phase.

!!!Healing Peak:
Short absence - unconsciousness, twitching facial muscles, salivation: "epileptic seizure".

!!!Regeneration Phase B:
The facial nerve and muscles gradually recover their function, seizures can occur. 

!!!Biological Meaning:
The stress reaction is one of rescue by shutting down, as a “freeze” response when fight or flight seem impossible or unsuccessful. The expected or feared pain is reduced by numbness.

!!Social
!!!Examples:
*Man felt like being slapped into his face by remarks of girlfriend.

*Rumors were spread about sexual orientation and woman was afraid that people will think badly of her and she loses her face.

*An elderly lady struggled to get over the death of her grandson in a car accident. With a complicated relationship to her stepdaughter, she couldn't show and release her feelings. She developed a sensory and motoric paresis of the left face which could be partly reversed with coaching. (Klapp)

!!Additional Information
The diagnosis "__stroke__" can have varying symptoms: typical are hemiplegia with loss of motor functions in face, arms, legs and speech. The reason can be brain oedema, bleedings (hemorrhagic) or loss of ((Nervous - Brain - Meninges|blood flow)) (ischemic) in the brain.

!!!Differential Diagnosis:
__Smooth Muscle in ((Musculoskeletal - Muscle Fascia|Fascia))__ of the facial muscles (Midbrain, +/-) with hypertension and hypertrophy. Stress: Need to protect"

__((Nervous - Trigeminus|Trigeminus Nerve)) __(Cerebral Cortex -/+) with similar reactions regarding tactile, proprioceptive, and nociceptive afference of the face and mouth, and activation of the muscles of mastication. Stress: Holding back feelings & expression


