Bell's palsy most commonly presents with weakness on which side?

• A. Bilateral facial weakness
• B. Alternating sides
• C. Unilateral facial weakness
• D. Forehead-only weakness

Answer: (C)

Bell's palsy is a peripheral (lower motor neuron) facial nerve issue, so the weakness shows up on one side of the face. The entire side of the face affected—both the upper and lower regions, including the forehead—is typical because the lesion is in the facial nerve after it leaves the brainstem. Bilateral weakness is much less common and would point to other causes, while weakness limited to the forehead would not fit the usual pattern of a peripheral facial nerve palsy. So the strongest, most typical presentation is unilateral facial weakness.