Anatomy of the transversus nuchae muscle and its relationship with the superficial musculoaponeurotic system.
BACKGROUND
Previous studies have proved the existence of muscle fibers in the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) of the parotid and masseter region; however, no studies have investigated the origination of the muscle fibers in the SMAS. Theoretically speaking, the muscle fibers within the SMAS in the parotid and masseter region might originate from a certain muscle with a definite origin and insertion. Based on this hypothesis, the authors' study investigated the origination of the muscle fibers in the SMAS of the parotid and masseter region to provide anatomical evidence that can improve our understanding of the SMAS.


METHODS
An anatomical study was performed on 20 halves of seven fixed and three fresh adult cadavers (seven male and three female cadavers). A traditional bilateral face-lift incision was designed in each cadaver, and the muscle fibers within the SMAS in the parotid and masseter region, along with the origin and insertion, were investigated, dissected, analyzed, and photographed.


RESULTS
The transversus nuchae muscle can be divided into two sections according to the origin of its tendons. The muscular fasciculi of the two sections run transversely across the sternocleidomastoid muscle, insert into the superficial fascia above the parotidomasseteric fascia, and terminate in the zygomatic region. The muscle fibers within the SMAS in the parotid and masseter region come from the transversus nuchae muscle.


CONCLUSIONS
The authors' study first investigated the transversus nuchae muscle combined with the SMAS and clarified the issue that has been neglected by previous studies for more than 30 years. The authors hope this will unify their understanding of the SMAS and offer plastic surgeons and readers a brief insight into the SMAS.
Lei
Tao
T
Hangzhou, Yanji, Guangzhou, Weifang Shandong, and Xi'an, People's Republic of China From the Department of Plastic Surgery, Hangzhou Plastic Surgery Hospital; the Department of Anatomy, Yanbian University; the Medical Diagnostic Imaging Center, the Department of Anatomy, and the Department of Plastic Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University; Urological and Plastic Surgery, 89th Hospital of the PLA; and the Department of Plastic Surgery, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University.
Cui
Lin
L
Zhang
Yu-Zhong
YZ
Shi
Guo-Jun
GJ
Peng
Pai
P
Wang
Xing-Hai
XH
Xu
Da-Chuan
DC
Gao
Jian-Hua
JH
D002102:Cadaver; D005152:Facial Muscles / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009334:Neck Muscles / Q000033:anatomy & histology*
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