Facial Nerve
•Nerve fibers exit the IAC via fallopian canal
–Narrowest portion throughout entire course
–Probable culprit in facial nerve compression in Bell’s palsy & other causes of nerve swelling
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•Fibers then course to geniculate ganglion
–Give rise to greater superficial petrosal nerve
•Contains taste axons from tongue & somatic fibers(4)
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Fallopian Canal
Geniculate Ganglion
   Figure 3. Axial CT Image                            Figure 4. Axial CT image.