A 45-year-old man has an obvious mass on the right side of his face. It is determined that he has a benign tumor of the parotid gland, and the tumor is existed. After surgical excision of the tumor, it is noted that the patient's mouth droops on the right side and, when asked to smile,his smile is asymmetrical and raise both eyebrows. Sensation is normal an both sides of his face. Which of the following is the most likely cause of the findings?

A 45-year-old man has an obvious mass on the right side of his face. It is determined that he has a benign tumor of the parotid gland, and the tumor is existed. After surgical excision of the tumor, it is noted that the patient's mouth droops on the right side and, when asked to smile,his smile is asymmetrical and raise both eyebrows. Sensation is normal an both sides of his face. Which of the following is the most likely cause of the findings?



(A) Damage to branches of the mental nerve
(B) Damage to branches of the infraorbital nerve
(C) Damage to branches of the facial nerve
(D) Damage to branches of the glossopharyngeal nerve
(E) Damage to branches of the hypoglossal nerve

Answer: C: Damage to branches of the facial nerve


Anatomy

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