First branch of Facial nerve is:: (A) Nerve to stapedius, (B) Chorda tympani nerve, (C) Greater petrosal nerve, (D) Lesser petrosal nerve
Answer is C. Ans. C. Greater petrosal nerveFacial nerve is the 7th cranial nerve. It is a mixed (i.e., motor and sensory) nerve, but predominantly it is motor. It is named facial nerve because it supplies the muscles of facial expression.Branchesa. Greater petrosal nerve--arises from the geniculate ganglion. It is the first branch of facial nerveb. Nerve to stapedius--arises from the vertical part of the facial nerve opposite the pyramidal eminence, runs forward through a short canal within it to reach the stapedius muscle to supply it.c. Chorda tympani nerve--arises from the vertical part of the facial nerve about 6 mm above the stylomastoid foramen.d. Posterior auricular nerve--supplies the occipital belly of occipitofrontal is.e. Nerve to the posterior belly of digastric--supplies the concerned muscle.f. Nerve to stylohyoid--supplies the concerned muscle.g. Five terminal branches (temporal, zygomatic, buccal, marginal, mandibular, and cervical)--supply the muscles of facial expression.