Chapter contents
Branchial motor
Visceral motor
Special sensory
General sensory
Peripheral lesions| Cranial Nerve VII - Facial Nerve | Page 20 of 28 |
Peripheral Course
Chemoreceptors of the taste buds located on the anterior 2/3 of the tongue and hard and soft palates initiate receptor (generator) potentials in response to chemical stimuli.
The taste buds synapse with the peripheral processes of special sensory neurons from CN VII. These neurons generate action potentials in response to the taste bud's receptor potentials. The peripheral processes of these neurons follow the lingual nerve and then chorda tympani to the petrous portion of the temporal bone (similar to the path followed by the efferent visceral motor fibers).
