Expansion
Two Zebras Bit My Coccyx
Mnemonic
“Two Zebras Bit My Cheek”, for the five branches leaving the parotid, from superior to inferior:
- T - Temporal
- Z - Zygomatic
- B - Buccal
- M - Marginal mandibular
- C - Cervical
The proximal branches, before the nerve leaves the skull, are remembered by the effects of a proximal lesion: greater petrosal (lacrimation), nerve to stapedius (hyperacusis) and chorda tympani (taste and submandibular secretion).
The marginal mandibular branch is the one at greatest surgical risk, in submandibular gland surgery and neck dissection, giving an asymmetrical lower lip on smiling.
Expansion
- T - Temporal
- Z - Zygomatic
- B - Buccal
- M - Mandibular
- C - Cervical