The facial nerve is the seventh cranial nerve whose palsy manifests as weakness of the mimic muscles with additional symptoms such as hyperacusis, reduced taste sensation and decreased tear production. Palsy can be of central and peripheral origin. Central palsy originates from a nerve lesion between the cortex and the facial nerve nucleus, whereas a lesion distal from the nucleus indicates peripheral palsy. Peripheral facial palsy is a common disease with an incidence between 20 and 32 people per 100,000 inhabitants per year. It can be divided into palsy with known and unknown etiology. Palsy of unknown etiology, also known as Bell's palsy, constitutes up to 70 percent of cases. Other causes can be classified as traumatic, infectious, otogenic complications, tumors, inheritance, developmental defects and systemic. A high-quality medical history and exam are usually enough to determine the diagnosis. Bell's palsy is diagnosed by exclusion of red flag symptoms such as bilateral palsy, slow progression of the palsy and vesicular eruptions which point to other causes. Numerous scales were designed in history in order to objectify severity of the palsy and monitor the facial nerve recovery. Most commonly used scales are House-Brackmann and Sunnybrook scales. Since Bell's palsy proposed pathophysiological mechanism is swelling causing compression, corticosteroids are the first line of treatment. Palsy of known etiology is treated accordingly to its cause such as with antiviral or antibiotic therapeutics. Surgical treatment is reserved for patients with palsy related to trauma and tumors, in case of extensive swelling of the nerve and in patients with a long lasting palsy. Corneal protection and facial muscle exercises are used together with pharmacotherapy or surgery. Prognosis of facial nerve palsy is good, especially in Bell's palsy.