What causes damage to the 7th cranial nerve?
Photo Credit: Courtesy of 3DStockPhoto (nerve damage image)
There are numerous causes of facial nerve disorder: Trauma such as birth trauma, skull base fractures, facial injuries, middle ear injuries, or surgical trauma. Nervous system disease including stroke involving the brain stem. Infection of the ear or face, or herpes zoster of the facial nerve (Ramsay Hunt syndrome)