title: The convergence of facial nerve branches providing whisker pad motor supply in rats: implications for facial reanimation study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Rodent whisking behavior is supported by the buccal and mandibular branches of the facial nerve, but a description of how these branches converge and contribute to whisker movement is lacking.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight rats underwent isolated transection of either the buccal or mandibular branch and subsequent opposite branch transection. Whisking function was analyzed after both transections. Anatomical measurements, and video recording of stimulation to individual branches, were taken from both facial nerves in 10 rats.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Normal to near-normal whisking was demonstrated after isolated branch transection. Whisking was eliminated after transection of both branches. The buccal and mandibular branches form a convergence just proximal to the whisker pad, herein called "distal pes." Distal to this convergence, we identified consistent anatomy that demonstrated cross-innervation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The overlap of efferent supply to the whisker pad must be considered when studying facial nerve regeneration in the rat facial nerve model.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA.
authors.forename: Doug
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Henstrom
authors.forename: Tessa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hadlock
authors.forename: Robin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lindsay
authors.forename: Christopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Knox
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Malo
authors.forename: Kalpesh T
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Vakharia
authors.forename: James T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Heaton
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003714:Denervation / Q000379:methods; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D005154:Facial Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014738:Vibrissae / Q000294:innervation*; D014741:Video Recording