title: Stimulation variables in electroneurography of the facial nerve.
abstract: Electroneurography is an electrophysiologic measurement of compound action potentials elicited by the supramaximal stimulation of a peripheral nerve. The stimulus intensity-response function was examined in the cat facial nerve following stimulation over two different sites of the facial nerve: the main trunk and the buccal branches. Thresholds were achieved at lower current settings, the resultant compound action potential exhibited a greater amplitude, and masseter muscle excitation was more evident following stimulation over the buccal region. The use of concurrent facial- and masseter-evoked electromyographic monitoring allows more sensitive detection of masseter excitation and a more accurate determination of the current level necessary for supramaximal stimulation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Communicative Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Tex. 77030.
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Salzer
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Coker
authors.forename: L T
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: Wang-Bennett
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats; D004576:Electromyography; D004594:Electrophysiology / Q000379:methods; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005152:Facial Muscles / Q000502:physiology*; D005154:Facial Nerve / Q000502:physiology*; D008406:Masseter Muscle / Q000502:physiology*; D008410:Masticatory Muscles / Q000502:physiology*