The extratemporal branches of the facial nerve display a considerable variability in number, courses, ramifications and anastomoses. On the basis of the extensive parotid plexus, isolated lesions in the cheek region can entail complex pareses of the perioral and buccal muscles. Therefore, occasionally, it may be difficult to distinguish between peripheral and supranuclear palsies.

By way of contrast, the ramus marginalis mandibulae n. facialis takes a relatively separate route (fig 1). It leaves the anterior–inferior portion of the parotid gland near the angle of the jaw and curves down to the submandibular gland. Typically consisting of up …