[An anatomical study of the nasolabial fold region].
OBJECTIVE
This study of the nasolabial fold is to provide the morphological basis for maxillofacial plastic and cosmetic surgery.


METHODS
Twenty fresh adult cadavers' heads were dissected with microsurgical technique and the structure of the nasolabial region was observed and measured.


RESULTS
1. The data about the length, width and thickness of each mimetic muscle were obtained and presented in the paper. 2. The medial and lateral subcutaneous fat of the nasolabial groove was 1.3 mm and 4.5 mm in thickness respectively. 3. There existed muscle fiber attachments in the medial dermis of nasolabial groove, and in the lateral dermis there were only a few muscle bundle attachments. 4. Among the superficial facial muscles there were not only fasciae but also aponeuroses. The muscles, fasciae and aponeuroses composed a three-dimensional reticular structure.


CONCLUSIONS
This study gave a further support to the theoretical hypothesis of SMAS intermediate tendon.
Fu
S
S
Department of Stomatology, Affiliated Central Hospital of Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang 11024.
Lan
X
X
Gao
J
J
D000328:Adult; D005152:Facial Muscles / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008046:Lip / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery; D009666:Nose / Q000033:anatomy & histology*