Buccal Branch of the Facial Nerve

Description

Running anterolaterally across the mid-face, the buccal branches of the facial nerve (rami buccales nervi facialis, CN VII) are shown emerging from the parotid region, coursing superficial to the masseter, then passing toward the cheek and upper lip. Bony landmarks of the skull frame the pathway, including the orbit, nasal aperture, maxilla, mandible, and dentition, with the external ear and temporal region orienting the proximal nerve origin near the stylomastoid foramen. Yellow cranial nerve trunks and branches traverse the lateral face and upper cervical region, with selected vessels rendered in blue and gray adjacent to the parotid and facial planes. Fine fibers predominate. Clinically, this is the branch group that often confuses learners because the buccal branches of CN VII do not equal the buccal nerve (a sensory branch of V3), yet both occupy the cheek and can be encountered in the same operative field. The course across the masseter and toward the modiolus makes these fibers relevant in parotidectomy, facelift (rhytidectomy) dissection, and repair of facial lacerations over the zygomatic and buccal regions, where iatrogenic injury can present as weakness of upper lip elevation and altered smile symmetry. Anastomoses with zygomatic and marginal mandibular branches are common and explain partial functional preservation after selective branch trauma. Use this plate in head and neck anatomy teaching to map CN VII branching patterns onto reliable surface and bony landmarks, or in surgical education materials discussing safe planes around the parotid duct, facial artery and vein, and masseteric fascia. It also suits neurology and otolaryngology content addressing peripheral facial palsy patterns and postoperative facial nerve assessment. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.