label: Facial Nerve Nucleus
label_lc: facial nerve nucleus
description: "A collection of cell bodies of cranial nerve VII found in the brainstem. There are three nuclei with distinct functions: the facial motor nucleus, which sends muscular efferent nerves to the muscles of facial expression and the stapedius; the superior salivary nucleus, which sends visceral parasympathetic efferent nerves mostly to the lacrimal and salivary glands; and the geniculate ganglion, which receives mostly afferent nerves for taste sensation."