The temporal branch of CN VII primarily innervates which muscle group?

Prepare for the NBEO Ocular Anatomy Posterior Segment and Cranial Nerves Test. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Multiple Choice

The temporal branch of CN VII primarily innervates which muscle group?

Explanation:
The temporal branch of CN VII targets the forehead muscles, mainly the frontalis. Frontalis raises the eyebrows and creates forehead wrinkles, which is the primary action of muscles supplied by this branch. In contrast, the buccinator and orbicularis oris are innervated by the buccal (and surrounding) branches of CN VII, not the temporal branch, and the masseter is a jaw muscle innervated by the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve (CN V), not CN VII. So the strongest match is the frontalis muscle.

The temporal branch of CN VII targets the forehead muscles, mainly the frontalis. Frontalis raises the eyebrows and creates forehead wrinkles, which is the primary action of muscles supplied by this branch. In contrast, the buccinator and orbicularis oris are innervated by the buccal (and surrounding) branches of CN VII, not the temporal branch, and the masseter is a jaw muscle innervated by the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve (CN V), not CN VII. So the strongest match is the frontalis muscle.

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