Tumors and Nerve Damage

With NF2, tumors grow on different nerves, primarily nerves in the Central Nervous System. As a tumors grows the function in the nerve it is growing on, slowly diminishes. Nerve damage can also result from brain surgery to remove a tumor.

Tumors that grow from the Auditory Nerves tend to grow the fastest, while the tumors that grow from the Cranial Nerves, in the brain, tend to be faster growing than those on the Spine. Actual rate of growth of any tumors can only be guessed by physicians by reviewing the MRI history, for an individual's previous rate of growth. But even then the growth rate can change for reasons unknown.

Cranial Nerves

There are 12 major nerves that emerge from the brain stem. These Cranial Nerves (CN) include:

• CN1 - Olfactory Nerve - Sense of smell
• CN2 - Optic Nerve
• CN3 - Oculomotor Nerve
• CN4 - Trochlear Nerve
• CN5 - Trigeminal Nerve - Sensory information from the body and face as well as motor functions - biting, chewing, and swallowing
• CN6 - Abducens Nerve
• CN7 - Facial Nerve - Muscles which control facial expression
• CN8 - Vestibulocochlear Nerve - The cochlear nerve is also known as the Auditory or Acoustic Nerve - controls sound and equilibrium
• CN9 - Glossopharyngeal Nerve
• CN10 - Vagus Nerve
• CN11 - Accessory Nerve - Some muscles in the shoulder and neck
• CN12 - Hypoglossal Nerve

CN7 - Facial Nerve

The facial nerve branches off to different 5 areas of the face. Each nerve effects the movement of different muscles. These branches include:

1. Temporal Branch - This branch effects the Forehead Muscles.
2. Zygomatic Branch - This branch effects the Eye Lid Muscles.
3. Buccal Branch - This branch effects the Cheek and Above the Mouth Muscles.
4. Marginal Mandibular Branch - This branch effects the Chin Muscles.
5. Cervical Branch - This branch effects the Neck Muscles.

For information on Facial Nerve Damage and how to help restore movement see: Facial Nerve Damage

NF2 NYC Support Group, New York
Email: Lori Davila at lori@nf2nycsupport.org
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