Stapedius nerve

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The stapedius nerve ("stapes nerve ") is a branch of the facial nerve (VII. Cranial nerve ) that carries motor nerve fibers for the stapedius muscle (stapes muscle ) in the middle ear .

The stapedius nerve arises in the descending part of the facial canal ( Canalis nervi facialis ) in the temporal bone and enters the pyramidal eminence and then the stapedius muscle. It is the only somatomotor branch of the facial nerve that arises within the facial canal. The nerve is the efferent leg of the stapedius reflex and only reacts in the context of this reflex, for example to great noise.

Increased sensitivity to sound ( hyperacusis ) can occur if the facial nerve and thus the stapedius nerve are damaged .

literature

  • Walther Graumann (ed.): Compact textbook anatomy. Volume 4: Sensory systems, skin, CNS. Peripheral pathways. Schattauer, Stuttgart et al. 2005, ISBN 3-7945-2064-5 , p. 488.