Facial motor nucleus

The facial motor nucleus is a collection of neurons in the brainstem that belong to the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII). These lower motor neurons innervate the muscles of facial expression and the stapedius.The cranial nerve nuclei schematically represented; dorsal view. Motor nuclei in red; sensory in blue.Nuclei of origin of cranial motor nerves schematically represented; lateral view.Cross section of the lower pons showing the facial motor nucleus and part of the root of the facial nerve.2° (Spinomesencephalic tract → Superior colliculus of Midbrain tectum) The facial motor nucleus is a collection of neurons in the brainstem that belong to the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII). These lower motor neurons innervate the muscles of facial expression and the stapedius. The nucleus is situated in the caudal portion of the ventrolateral pontine tegmentum. Its axons take an unusual course, traveling dorsally and looping around the abducens nucleus, then traveling ventrally to exit the ventral pons medial to the spinal trigeminal nucleus. These axons form the motor component of the facial nerve, with parasympathetic and sensory components forming the intermediate nerve.