Question

Facial nerve, the cranial nerve VII pass through which foramen of the skull.

• A. Mandibular foramen
• B. Foramen ovale
• C. Stylomastoid foramen
• D. Foramen rotundum

Hint:

Remember cranial nerve exits: - CN V2 → Foramen rotundum - CN V3 → Foramen ovale - CN VII → Stylomastoid foramen

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Concept:
The facial nerve (cranial nerve VII) is a mixed nerve responsible for:
• Motor supply to muscles of facial expression
• Taste sensation from anterior 2/3 of tongue
• Parasympathetic supply to salivary and lacrimal glands Its course through the skull is very important for identifying its exit point.

Step 1: Origin and intracranial course.
The facial nerve originates in the pons of the brainstem and enters the internal acoustic meatus along with the vestibulocochlear nerve (CN VIII).

Step 2: Passage through temporal bone.
Inside the temporal bone, it travels through the facial canal, giving off branches like:
• Greater petrosal nerve
• Nerve to stapedius
• Chorda tympani

Step 3: Exit from skull.
After traversing the facial canal, the facial nerve exits the skull through the: \[ Stylomastoid foramen \]

Step 4: Evaluating other options.

• Mandibular foramen → inferior alveolar nerve (branch of CN V3)
• Foramen ovale → mandibular division of trigeminal nerve (CN V3)
• Foramen rotundum → maxillary division of trigeminal nerve (CN V2)

Step 5: Conclusion.
Thus, the correct foramen for facial nerve exit is: \[ \boxed{\text{Stylomastoid foramen}} \]