A patient with a parotid gland tumor develops ipsilateral facial palsy. The facial nerve exits the stylomastoid foramen and enters the parotid gland, dividing into which named branches that can be remembered by the mnemonic 'Two Zombies Bit My Chin'?

• A Temporal, Zygomatic, Buccal, Mandibular, Cervical
• B Temporal, Zygomatic, Buccal, Maxillary, Cervical
• C Temporal, Zygomatic, Buccal, Marginal mandibular, Cervical ✓
• D Temporal, Zygomatic, Buccal, Mental, Cervical

Explanation

The five terminal branches of the facial nerve within the parotid gland are Temporal, Zygomatic, Buccal, Marginal mandibular, and Cervical (mnemonic: Two Zombies Bit My Chin). The marginal mandibular branch (not 'mandibular', which is a CN V division) is particularly important as it is the most commonly injured branch during parotidectomy and neck dissection, resulting in drooping of the corner of the mouth. The marginal mandibular branch often has fewer anastomoses, making injury more functionally significant. The cervical branch supplies platysma.

Reference: BD Chaurasia's Human Anatomy, 8th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.