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The Sensory Auricular Branch of the Facial Nerve and its Relationship to Landmarks of the Facial Recess. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 2023 Jul;132(7):752-755

Date

07/29/2022

Pubmed ID

35898112

DOI

10.1177/00034894221114726

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-85135171430 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   1 Citation

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Delineate the anatomic relationship of the sensory auricular branch (SAB) of the facial nerve to other structures of the facial recess.

METHODS: Ten adult cadaveric temporal bones were randomly selected and dissected under operative microscopy. Linear and angular measurements were obtained for the following parameters: (1) the distance from the tip of the short process of the incus to the point of convergence of the SAB and the main trunk of the facial nerve; (2) the distance from the point of convergence of the SAB and the main trunk of the facial nerve to the chorda tympani (CT) division from the main trunk; (3) the distance from the bifurcation of the CT and facial nerve to the crossover point of the SAB/CT; (4) the angle at which the SAB merges with the main trunk (Y°), and (5) the angle at which the CT divides off the main trunk (X°).

RESULTS: The mean distance from the tip of the short process of the incus to the SAB takeoff was 8.7 ± 1.83 mm (range 6-13 mm). The mean distance from the SAB to the CT division from the main trunk was 5.9 ± 2.41 mm (range 3-10 mm). The mean angle at which the SAB merged with the main trunk of the facial nerve was 38.5 ± 12.63° (range 25°-68°). The mean CT-main trunk angle was 16 ± 4.24° (range 8°-21°). The branching point of the SAB from the facial nerve approximately bisected the facial recess.

CONCLUSION: Recognizing the SAB and knowing its relationships to surrounding anatomy provides a useful adjunctive landmark for the identification of the main trunk of the facial nerve's mastoid segment.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

Author List

Sow MK, Murray M, Akakpo K, Harris MS

Author

Michael S. Harris MD Associate Professor in the Otolaryngology department at Medical College of Wisconsin




MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adult
Cadaver
Chorda Tympani Nerve
Face
Facial Nerve
Humans
Mastoid
Temporal Bone