Superficial branches
- Run beneath the skin and above the superficial muscles of the face
- Supply the procerus muscle
- Join at the medial angle of the orbit with the infratrochlear and nasociliary branches of the ophthalmic nerve
- Distribute to the skin of the face
- Provide sensory innervation to the forehead and scalp
Deep branches
- Pass beneath the zygomaticus and quadratus labii superioris muscles
- Supply the zygomaticus and quadratus labii superioris muscles
- Form an infraorbital plexus with the infraorbital branch of the maxillary nerve
- Supply the small muscles of the nose
- Provide sensory innervation to the lower eyelid and upper lip
Lower deep branches
- Supply the buccinator muscle
- Supply the orbicularis oris muscle
- Join with filaments of the buccinator branch of the mandibular nerve
- Provide sensory innervation to the cheek
- Assist in facial expression and chewing
Distribution to the face
- Superficial branches distribute to the skin of the face
- Deep branches supply the muscles of facial expression
- Lower deep branches supply the buccinator and orbicularis oris muscles
- Provide sensory innervation to various areas of the face
- Assist in facial movements and expressions
Relationship with other nerves
- Superficial branches join with the infratrochlear and nasociliary branches of the ophthalmic nerve
- Deep branches form an infraorbital plexus with the infraorbital branch of the maxillary nerve
- Lower deep branches join with filaments of the buccinator branch of the mandibular nerve
- Interact with other branches of the facial nerve to provide innervation to different areas of the face
- Coordinate facial movements and sensory perception.
The buccal branches of the facial nerve (infraorbital branches), are of larger size than the rest of the branches, pass horizontally forward to be distributed below the orbit and around the mouth.
| Buccal branches of the facial nerve | |
|---|---|
 Plan of the facial and intermediate nerves and their communication with other nerves. (Labeled at center bottom, third from the bottom.) | |
 The nerves of the scalp, face, and side of neck. | |
| Details | |
| From | facial nerve |
| Innervates | cheek |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | rami buccales nervi facialis |
| TA98 | A14.2.01.111 |
| TA2 | 6304 |
| FMA | 53310 |
| Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy | |
