Where does deviation occur in a cranial nerve 7 lesion, commonly associated with Bell's palsy?

In the context of a cranial nerve 7 lesion, such as that seen in Bell's palsy, deviation occurs on the ipsilateral side. This means that the facial muscles on the same side as the affected nerve become weak or paralyzed, leading to an asymmetrical appearance of the face.

Bell's palsy primarily affects the facial nerve, which is responsible for motor function in the muscles of facial expression. When this nerve is compromised, the muscles on the affected side cannot contract properly. As a result, the facial features on that side may appear drooped or deviated. Thus, the correct answer is associated with the same side as the lesion, which is why ipsilateral is the appropriate term to describe the deviation observed in such cases.

In contrast, other options mention aspects like contralateral deviation, which would imply that the opposite side is affected, central deviation, and unilateral, which does not fully capture the nature of the facial nerve's function and resultant deviation in this specific condition.