buccal branch of facial nerve
Last reviewed 01/2018
The buccal branch is the largest of the motor branches of the facial nerve (VII). Branching from the nerve within the parotid gland, it passes horizontally forward and slightly inferiorly to supply muscles inferior to the orbit and around the mouth.
It innervates the following muscles:
- zygomaticus major (with the zygomatic branch of VII)
- zygomaticus minor
- levator labii superioris
- levator labii superioris alaeque nasi
- risorius
- buccinator
- levator anguli oris
- nasalis
- depressor anguli oris (with the marginal mandibular branch of VII)
levator labii superioris muscle (anatomy)