title: Communication of the transverse cervical nerve with the marginal mandibular nerve: a previously unreported anatomical variant.
abstract: Communications between the transverse cervical nerve (C2 and 3) and the cervical branch of the facial nerve have been reported. We describe a case in which the transverse cervical nerve joined the marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve. It was found during a selective neck dissection and to our knowledge is the first report of such a communication. We discuss the clinical relevance particularly in relation to confusion with the marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve when operating in the submandibular region.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Queen Alexandra Hospital, Cosham, Portsmouth, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Reuther
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Queen Alexandra Hospital, Cosham, Portsmouth, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: J N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Blythe
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Queen Alexandra Hospital, Cosham, Portsmouth, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Anand
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Queen Alexandra Hospital, Cosham, Portsmouth, United Kingdom. Electronic address: peter.brennan@porthosp.nhs.uk.
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Brennan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D063405:Anatomic Variation; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery; D002572:Cervical Plexus / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005927:Glossectomy / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008340:Mandibular Nerve / Q000473:pathology*; D037981:Neck Dissection / Q000379:methods; D009334:Neck Muscles / Q000294:innervation; D014062:Tongue Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery
keywords: Anatomical variant; Communication; Marginal mandibular nerve; Transverse cervical nerve