Cranial nerve deficits are commonly encountered in general practice and a logical approach is required to ensure optimal management. This lecture will focus on the most common disorders affecting the facial nerve and trigeminal nerve, including facial paralysis, trigeminal neuropathy ('dropped jaw') and unilateral masticatory muscle atrophy. Bilateral masticatory muscle atrophy and masticatory myositis will also be discussed. By the end of this lecture you should have the confidence in how to approach and investigate these cases in practice.