[TA] (1) a sharp bend in the facial nerve in the facial canal where it turns posteriorly from its previously anterior course to run in the medial wall of the middle ear (external geniculum); the geniculate ganglion is located at the apex of the geniculum of the facial nerve; (2) complex loop of facial nerve fibers around the abducens nucleus (internal geniculum). SYN: geniculum nervus facialis [TA].