Muscle(s) supplied by facial nerve is/are
**Core Concept**
The facial nerve (cranial nerve VII) is responsible for controlling the muscles of facial expression, as well as providing taste sensation from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue and motor innervation to the stapedius muscle in the middle ear. The muscles of facial expression are crucial for conveying emotions and maintaining social interactions.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The facial nerve supplies the muscles of facial expression through its motor branches, which include the temporal, zygomatic, buccal, marginal mandibular, and cervical branches. These branches innervate the muscles of facial expression, allowing for a wide range of movements, including smiling, frowning, and raising the eyebrows. The facial nerve also provides taste sensation from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue through its chorda tympani branch.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
* **Option A:** This option is incorrect because it does not specify the correct muscles of facial expression supplied by the facial nerve. The facial nerve does not supply muscles involved in mastication, such as the masseter or temporalis muscles.
* **Option B:** This option is incorrect because it is incomplete and does not specify the correct muscles of facial expression supplied by the facial nerve. The facial nerve does supply muscles involved in facial expression, but the option does not accurately represent the correct answer.
* **Option D:** This option is incorrect because it is not specific to the facial nerve. The muscles of the scalp are supplied by the trigeminal nerve (cranial nerve V), not the facial nerve.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
The muscles of facial expression are innervated by the facial nerve, which is responsible for controlling facial movements and conveying emotions. Damage to the facial nerve can result in weakness or paralysis of the muscles of facial expression, leading to facial asymmetry and difficulty with facial movements.
**Correct Answer: C. The muscles of facial expression.**