The angle at which the facial nerve leaves the mastoid.
Some skull base procedures require extensive dissection of the facial nerve. This can be difficult at the mastoid tip, where the nerve is approximated to soft tissues. The nerve was dissected in this area in 15 cadaver specimens. The mean angle at which the facial nerve leaves the mastoid tip in 117 degrees . This information should aid the skull base surgeon in the identification of the facial nerve at the mastoid tip.
Holt
J J
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