Numbness of cheek following fracture of zygomatic complex is due to
**Core Concept**
The numbness of cheek following a fracture of the zygomatic complex is related to the involvement of the infraorbital nerve, which provides sensory innervation to the skin of the cheek. This nerve is a branch of the maxillary division of the trigeminal nerve (cranial nerve V2) and is responsible for transmitting sensory information from the face.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The infraorbital nerve runs through the infraorbital groove and canal within the zygomatic bone, making it susceptible to injury during fractures of the zygomatic complex. When this nerve is damaged, it can result in numbness or paresthesia of the cheek, as the nerve is responsible for transmitting sensory information from the skin of the cheek. The infraorbital nerve is a branch of the maxillary division of the trigeminal nerve (cranial nerve V2), which is responsible for sensory innervation of the face.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** This option is not relevant to the numbness of the cheek following a zygomatic complex fracture.
**Option B:** The facial nerve (cranial nerve VII) is responsible for motor innervation of the muscles of facial expression, not sensory innervation of the cheek.
**Option C:** The auriculotemporal nerve is a branch of the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve (cranial nerve V3) and provides sensory innervation to the temporal region, not the cheek.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
The infraorbital nerve is a branch of the maxillary division of the trigeminal nerve (cranial nerve V2), which is responsible for sensory innervation of the face. Damage to this nerve can result in numbness or paresthesia of the cheek.
**Correct Answer: C. The auriculotemporal nerve is a branch of the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve (cranial nerve V3) and provides sensory innervation to the temporal region, not the cheek.