Location of post – parotid branches of facial nerve

The facial nerve is basically a motor nerve, which supplies the muscles of facial expression. Injury to this nerve causes functional, social and psychological disability.

Aims and objectives:

  • 1.

    To take into account the points of emergence and arborization, the anatomic planes of distribution and the relationship of the post parotid portion of Facial Nerve.

  • 2.

    Identification of danger free area and important anatomic pathways of marginal mandibular, temporal and frontal nerves pertaining to TMJ, inferior border of mandible and submandibular region.

  • 3.

    To provide comparative anatomical surgical appraisal in cadavers and human patients for considering surgical manoeuver to the Oral maxillofacial Surgeons.

Materials and methods: This study is based on identification and exposure of the post parotid portion of Facial Nerve, emergence in the face at the anterior border of the parotid gland.

The sample consisted of 30 hemifaces of 15 cadavers, irrespective of age, sex and race. Cadavers with any facial alterations were not included in the study.

The emergence points of these branches of the Facial Nerve from the superior, anterior and apex of the parotid gland were measured in relation to

  • 1.

    Intertragal notch.

  • 2.

    Palpebral lateral commissure.

  • 3.

    labial commissure.

  • 4.

    Midline of Philtrum of upper lip at the red margin.

Result and conclusion: The pathway of the Facial Nerve and the anatomical relations of the branches are outlined and descriptive analysis done. Suitable surgical techniques discussed and recommended to avoid injuries to the above mentioned nerves during Oral Maxillofacial surgical procedures in routine practice.

Conflict of interest: None declared.

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Jan 27, 2018 | Posted by in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery | Comments Off on Location of post – parotid branches of facial nerve

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