Ptosis in Bell's palsy?

[leviathan]

I've found multiple websites that say ptosis occurs in Bell's....ptosis would be caused by loss of sympathetic innervation, not facial nerve innervation. In fact with loss of facial nerve, I'd expect the opposite to occur, that they couldn't CLOSE their eye. So what is the mechanism?

[Cole]

Well remember that there are other muscles in the eye, for example orbicularis oculi, levator palpebri etc. etc. which are controlled by the facial nerve. Weakness in these will give you the impression that there is asymmetry with the eyes that'll sometimes be referred to as ptosis. But you're right, it's not the same ptosis you get with Horner's syndrome.

[leviathan]

Alllllllllrighty then. Thanks cole.