title: Facial nerve danger zone in dermatologic surgery: temporal branch.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The principal function of cranial nerve 7 (CN VII), the facial nerve, is to provide motor innervation to the muscles of facial expression. The temporal branch of the facial nerve primarily innervates the frontalis muscle, which raises the eyebrow.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To present a case that illustrates the importance of facial nerve anatomy to skin surgery practice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The relevant surgical anatomy of the temporal branch is reviewed, as well as clinical practice points around nerve damage in skin surgery.
authors.affiliation: Division of Dermatology, Women's College Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON.
authors.forename: Erin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dahlke
authors.forename: Christian A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Murray
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery*; D005138:Eyebrows; D005152:Facial Muscles / Q000294:innervation; D005153:Facial Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D005154:Facial Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D020220:Facial Nerve Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D013703:Temporal Muscle / Q000294:innervation