Which branches comprise the facial nerve (CN VII)?

The facial nerve, also known as cranial nerve VII, is responsible for several functions, most notably the innervation of the muscles of facial expression. It has a complex branching pattern that includes several key branches. One of the main branches of the facial nerve is the temporal branch, which supplies the muscles of the forehead and upper face. The mandibular branch is another significant branch that innervates the muscles around the lower face, including the muscles responsible for movements such as smiling and other facial expressions.

These branches emerge from the stylomastoid foramen, where the facial nerve exits the skull, and then they fan out to supply different regions of the face. This anatomical organization is crucial for the coordinated movements that characterize facial expressions.

The other options do not represent the correct branches of the facial nerve. The maxillary and palatine branches, for example, are divisions associated with the trigeminal nerve (CN V), which primarily supports sensory functions in the face rather than motor control. The ventral and dorsal branches and the frontal and buccal branches do not accurately identify branches associated with the facial nerve in the context of the question. Thus, the branches of the facial nerve indeed include the temporal and mandibular branches.