Bell's Palsy

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Bell's Palsy is a condition that causes a temporary weakness or paralysis of the muscles in the face. This condition results from the damage to the facial
nerve, that is the seventh cranial nerve.
Facial nerve is the nerve with supplies muscle function and sensation to the face affecting tears, salivation, taste and facial expression.
In Bell's palsy pain and discomfort usually occur on one side of the face or head.
Bell's palsy is a lower motor neuron type paralysis of facial muscles, due to compression of facial nerve in the facial canal near stylomastoid foraman.
The exact etiology is not known, but it is probably due to viral infection.
Clinical features on the side of paralysis -
1) Facial asymmetry(the affected side is drawn to the healthy side) - due to unopposed action of the muscles of normal side.
2) Loss of horizontal wrinkles on forhead - due to paralysis of occipitofrontalis muscle.
3) Widening of palpebral fissure and inability to close the eye - due to paralysis of orbicularis oculi
4) Tears flow down from the eye (Epiphora) - due to paralysis of the lower part of the orbicularis oculi.
5) Sagging of the angle of the mouth towards the affected side and inability of the angle of the mouth to move upwards and laterally during laughing - due to paralysis of zygomaticus major.
6) Loss of nasolabial furrow - due to paralysis of levator labii superioris alaeque nasi
7) Accumulation of food into the vestibule of the mouth - due to paralysis of buccinator muscle.
8) Dribbling of saliva from the angle of mouth - due to paralysis of orbicularis orris.
9) Loss of resistance when one presses cheek with inflated vestibule and air leaks out from between the lips - due to paralysis of buccinator muscle.
10) Pain in the ear, may proceed, or accompany the nerve paralysis.
11)Some complain of noise intolerance(stapedial paralysis) or loss of taste (involvement of chorda tympani).