[Microanatomical study on the nutrient artery of facial nerve in cerebellopontine angle].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the arterial origin of the facial nerve and the site of the arteries joining it in cerebellopontine angle (CPA), in order to provide anatomical data for clinical application.


METHODS
The nutrient arteries were observed on 22 fresh adult head specimens fixed and perfused with formalin and gelatin under operation microscope.


RESULTS
Of all the nutrient arteries of facial nerve motor root,31 were derived from the artery loops in CPA space (50.82%) and 17 from the branch of anterior inferior cerebellar artery (27.88%). Eight of them originated from the labyrinthine artery (13.1%), 3 from posterior inferior cerebellar artery (4.92%) and 2 from basilar artery (3.28%) respectively. Forty-seven nutrient arteries (77.05%) entered the proximal 1/3 segment of facial nerve motor root. Thirty-six nutrient arteries of nervus intermedius raised from the artery loops in CPA space (73.47%), 7 from the branch of anterior inferior cerebellar artery (14.29%) and 6 from labyrinthine artery (12.24%) respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The observation of the arterial origin of the facial nerve and the site of the arteries joining it in cerebellopontine angle provided an anatomic basis for the etiology of hemifacial spasm and the microsurgical operation in CPA.
Wang
Xiao-Wen
XW
Department of Human Anatomy, Medical College of Xi'an Jiao Tong University, Xi'an 710061, China. wxw686@hotmail.com
Hu
Hai-Tao
HT
Xu
Jie-Hua
JH
D000328:Adult; D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D002530:Cerebellopontine Angle / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000098:blood supply*; D005154:Facial Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000098:blood supply*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D014711:Vertebral Artery / Q000033:anatomy & histology*