Physical examination maneuver

Physical Exam

Cranial Nerve V

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How to Perform

Test facial sensation to light touch (and to sharp sensation if indicated) over the three divisions — forehead, cheek, and jaw — on each side, comparing sides.

How to Interpret

Showing 2 of 7 findings

Orbital Fracture

Infraorbital hypoesthesia after facial trauma
Rule in
InconclusiveWide CI
Rule out
Not helpfulDerived CI
Evidence:Strong

Stroke

Crossed sensory findings (ipsilateral facial with contralateral body sensory loss) in a patient with confirmed acute ischemic stroke
Rule in
Very helpfulDerived CI
Rule out
Not helpfulDerived CI
Evidence:Moderate

Related Bedside Tests

Cranial Nerve VIIMembers
Sign in
Cranial Nerve VII
Rule in:VHStroke, HFacial Weakness, IEPeripheral Facial Nerve Palsy
Rule out:VHFacial Weakness, NHStroke, IEPeripheral Facial Nerve Palsy
Extraocular MovementsMembers
Sign in
Extraocular Movements
Rule in:VHStroke, SHHyperthyroidism, SHMyasthenia Gravis +9 more
Rule out:HMyasthenia Gravis, SHHyperthyroidism, NHOrbital Fracture +9 more
Eye InspectionMembers
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Eye Inspection
Rule in:VHHyperthyroidism, VHStroke, HSerious Eye Disease +18 more
Rule out:HConjunctivitis, SHHypovolemia, MHAnemia +18 more
Alternate Cover TestMembers
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Alternate Cover Test
aka Cross-cover test, Test of skew
Rule in:VHSkew Deviation, VHVestibular Dysfunction, HStroke +1 more
Rule out:VHStroke, VHVestibular Dysfunction, HSkew Deviation +1 more
Cranial Nerve XIIMembers
Sign in
Cranial Nerve XII
Rule in:HStroke, IEHypoglossal Nerve Palsy
Rule out:NHStroke, IEHypoglossal Nerve Palsy
Head Impulse TestMembers
Sign in
Head Impulse Test
aka Head thrust test; Halmagyi test
Rule in:VHVestibular Dysfunction, HStroke
Rule out:VHStroke, VHVestibular Dysfunction

Related Systems / Regions

Head, Eyes, Ears, Nose, ThroatNeurological

Related Diagnoses

Midfacial FractureOrbital FracturePseudobulbar PalsyStrokeTrigeminal Nerve Pathology

Related Chief Complaints

Electric Shock Facial PainFacial NumbnessFacial PainJaw WeaknessShooting Facial Pain

References

  • Huang X, Xu J, Xu M, Zhou LF, Zhang R, Lang L, Xu Q, Zhong P, Chen M, Wang Y, Zhang Z. Clinical features of intracranial vestibular schwannomas. Oncol Lett. 2013;5(1):57-62. doi:10.3892/ol.2012.1011. PMID: 23255894. PMCID: PMC3525418 (free full text).
  • Tao WD, Liu M, Fisher M, et al. Posterior versus anterior circulation infarction: how different are the neurological deficits? Stroke. 2012;43(8):2060-2065. PMID: 22678088.
  • Rozema R, Doff MHJ, Delli K, Spijkervet FKL, van Minnen B. Diagnostic accuracy of physical examination findings for midfacial fractures: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Oral Investig. 2022;26(4):3405-3427. doi:10.1007/s00784-022-04423-y. PMCID: PMC8979892. PMID: 35298710.
  • Rozema R, Doff MHJ, Delli K, Spijkervet FKL, van Minnen B. Diagnostic accuracy of physical examination findings for midfacial fractures: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Oral Investig. 2022;26(4):3405-3427. doi:10.1007/s00784-022-04423-y. PMID: 35298710. PMCID: PMC8979892.
  • Bickley LS, Szilagyi PG, Hoffman RM, Soriano RP. Bates' Guide to Physical Examination and History Taking. 13th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer; 2021.
  • Swartz MH. Textbook of Physical Diagnosis: History and Examination. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025.

Research last updated September 10, 2026.