ANA Discussion Forum
Post-Treatment => Facial Issues => Topic started by: Gennysmom on March 11, 2008, 11:00:08 am
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Hi all....my mom translates books to braille, and is doing one that has a section on Bell's Palsy, which describes the reason for "Crocodile tears". She thought it was interesting and decided to share!
Under the subtitle "Bell's Palsy" in a section of the book I'm brailling:
Recovery can be complicated by what is called aberrant regeneration of the facial nerve, meaning that regeneration can be misdirected. This can result in blinking or drooping of the upper eyelid when chewing or talking, or "crocodile" tears. Apparently a crocodile has tearing of the eyes when chewing, and aberrant regeneration of the seventh nerve in humans may cause the same sign, because the motor nerve to the lacrimal gland is also a function of the facial nerve.