|
| The Facial Nerve (CN7) |
| The bony canal containing the facial nerve can be followed on axial and coronal CT images. This section provides a basic approach for identifying and tracing the course of the facial nerve through the temporal bone. |
The facial nerve segments from external to internal are:
| • |
External |
| • |
Mastoid/vertical |
| • |
Tympanic |
| • |
Labyrinthine |
| • |
Intracanalicular |
| • |
Cisternal |
|
| Axial CT |
| On axial CT images, an easy landmark to start with is the styloid process. From there, the course of the facial nerve can be traced from inferior to superior, external to internal, as follows: |
| Find the styloid process. |
Follow it superiorly to the stylomastoid foramen (exiting facial nerve). |
 |
 |
|
|
| |
| Back to Menu |
|
|
|
|
|
