A patient who has Bell palsy would benefit MOST from strengthening which muscle?

• A. Frontalis
• B. Masseter
• C. Temporalis
• D. Lateral pterygoid

Answer: (A)

Bell palsy is a weakness of the facial muscles due to injury to the facial nerve. Rehabilitation focuses on strengthening and re-educating muscles that are controlled by the facial nerve to improve symmetry and expression. The frontalis muscle raises the eyebrow and wrinkles the forehead and is directly innervated by the facial nerve. Strengthening this muscle helps compensate for the droop in the upper face and improves forehead movement, which has the most impact on facial appearance and function in Bell palsy. The jaw muscles (masseter, temporalis, lateral pterygoid) are innervated by the trigeminal nerve and don’t address the facial weakness, so they’re not as helpful for this condition.