Relation of mental nerve with mandibular branch of the facial nerve.
The aim of this study is to elucidate the detailed anatomical relation of mental nerve with marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve. Twenty-three hemi-faces of adult Korean cadavers (11 Male and 7 female) were dissected. All locations of crossing (C) of marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve and mental nerve were measured below the inferior verge of the lower vermillion (V): a vertical distance (V-Gn) between V and gnathion (Gn) and horizontal distance (V-OC) between V and oral commissure (OC). The mental foramen located at 19.8 +/- 4.4 mm below the inferior verge of the lower vermillion (V) and 34.3 +/- 5.2 mm laterally from the midline. In all specimens there were found interconnections between marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve and mental nerve. The number of connecting site was 8.26 +/- 2.49. Microscopically, both of the nerve branches had a common epineurium, but the perineurium separated. V-Gn and the vertical distance between V and the connecting point (C) was in the ratio of approximately 2:1, and V-OC and the horizontal distance from V:C was an equal ratio. The proximity of the mental nerve and marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve to each other draws an attention as operating the mental area.
Hwang
Kun
K
Department of Plastic Surgery, and Center for Advanced Medical Education by BK21 project, Inha University College of Medicine, 7-206 Sinheung-dong, Jung-gu, Incheon, Korea. jokerhg@inha.ac.kr
Jin
Sheng
S
Park
Jun Ho
JH
Kim
Dae Joong
DJ
Chung
In Hyuk
IH
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002102:Cadaver; D002680:Chin / Q000294:innervation*; D005154:Facial Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged