title: Aberrant course of the facial nerve.
abstract: In our patient the facial nerve was situated in the external bony ear canal without bony protection just below the skin in the lower part of the external ear canal 2 to 3 mm lateral to the tympanic membrane. This abnormal position involves a greate risk of damage to the facial nerve by incisions in the ear canal prior to surgical intervention of the middle ear.
mesh_terms: D004424:Ear Canal / Q000601:surgery; D005154:Facial Nerve / Q000002:abnormalities*; D020220:Facial Nerve Injuries; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008416:Mastoid / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D014432:Tympanic Membrane / Q000601:surgery