[Applied anatomic study on blood supply for extracranial segment of facial nerve].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the arterial origin and the distribution of the extracranial branches of the facial nerve.


METHODS
Red latex or red chlorinated polyvinyl chloride was injected into the arteries of 15 fresh adult head specimens by both common carotid artery catheterization. The arterial origin and distribution of the extracranial branches of the facial nerve were observed.


RESULTS
The nutrient arteries of the extracranial branches of the facial nerve originated from stylomastoid artery of the posterior auricular artery, the facial nervous branch of superficial temporal artery, transverse facial artery, superior and inferior facial nervous branches of external carotid artery and the posterior and anterior facial nervous branches of external carotid artery. The outer diameters of them were (0.8 +/- 0.2) mm, (0.9 +/- 0.4) mm, (1.9 +/- 0.3) mm, (1.0 +/- 0.2) mm, (1.1 +/- 0.4) mm, (1.0 +/- 0.2) mm and (1.1 +/- 0.6) mm respectively. The sub-branches of the attendant artery of the facial nerve anastomosed each other in addition to supplying their own nerve, and a rich vascular network was formed between the facial nerve and adjacent tissue.


CONCLUSIONS
The study on blood supply of the extracranial segment of the facial nerve can provide anatomic basis for avoiding injury of the nutrient arteries of the facial nerve during operation of the parotidean and masseteric region clinically.
Liao
Jin-min
JM
Anatomy Department, First Military Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China 510515. jinminliao@yahoo.com.cn
Wang
Xing-hai
XH
Li
Zhong-hua
ZH
D001158:Arteries / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D002102:Cadaver; D005154:Facial Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000098:blood supply*; D006801:Humans; D008406:Masseter Muscle / Q000098:blood supply; D008416:Mastoid / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000098:blood supply*; D009334:Neck Muscles / Q000098:blood supply