Question

Fumiko, a 19-year-old nursing student, had had a runny nose and sore throat for several days. Upon waking, her face felt “twisted.” When she examined her face in the mirror, she noticed that the right side looked “droopy” and she was unable to move the facial muscles on that side. This made it difficult to speak clearly or eat. Which cranial nerve was affected and on which side? What is a common cause of this condition?

Accepted Answer

Step 1: Identify the symptoms described: facial drooping on the right side, inability to move facial muscles on that side, difficulty speaking clearly and eating. These symptoms suggest a problem with the motor control of facial muscles. Step 2: Recall the cranial nerve responsible for motor control of the muscles of facial expression. This is the Facial nerve, also known as Cranial Nerve VII. Step 3: Determine the side affected by the nerve damage. Since the right side of the face is droopy and paralyzed, the right Facial nerve is affected. Step 4: Understand common causes of sudden facial nerve paralysis. One common cause is Bell's palsy, which is an idiopathic (unknown cause) inflammation of the facial nerve, often linked to viral infections. Step 5: Summarize that the condition described is likely Bell's palsy affecting the right Facial nerve (Cranial Nerve VII), causing unilateral facial muscle paralysis.

Key Concepts

Facial Nerve (Cranial Nerve VII)

Unilateral Facial Paralysis

Bell's Palsy as a Common Cause