The Study Of The Applied Anatomy Of The Temporal Branches Of The Facial Nerve: Path Across The Zygomatic Arch And The Temporal Region

Objective: To investigate and locate the number,the path,the site,and the distributions of the temporal branches of facial nerve(FB) crossing the zygomatic arch passing into the temporal region．To determine the adjacent relations between the frontal branch of the superficial temporal artery and FB．The preservation of FB was studied according to different surgical plane in the operation of the zygomatic arch and temporal region． Methods: Twenty-five fixed adult heads specimens( 50 sides ) were selected．The temporal region dissection was performed under light microscope．The number,the course,the site,and the characteristics of the administrative level and distribution of FB crossing the zygomatic arch passing into the temporal region were observed．The adjacent relations between the frontal branch of the superficial temporal artery and FB were described and located． Results: 1．FB pass into the temporal region after crossing the zygomatic arch from the superior margin of the parotid,which run between the superficial temporal fascia and the superficial layer of the deep temporal fascia．2．Generally, there were 1(4 temporal branches,and their path through the lower and superior edge of the zygomatic arch were the posterior 1/3 and middle 1/3 into the temporal region respectively．The four temporal branches pass through the zygomatic arch from its posterior halves．Correspondingly the intersecting section were from 1.5 mm posterior to the articular tubercle to 12.5 mm anterior to the articular tubercle,and from 23.5 mm to 32.5 mm anterior to the supra-acoustic pore．Then their innervate the frontal muscle,the orbicularis oculi muscle,the corrugator supercilii muscle,and the muscle surrounding the ear,etc． 3．The first branch of FB( the last branch ) was not gone beyond 45mm above the external ectocanthion (lateral bony angle), and the interval distance was about 5(6mm between the branches of FB．The FB distribute in a area,which is blower a line from 45mm above the external ectocanthion to the articular tubercle．Attention should be paid to the branches of FB when operation was undertaking in this area．4．The adjacent relations between the frontal branch of the superficial temporal artery and FB are: ① in 60.5％ FB and its terminal branches running inferior to the frontal branch of the superficial temporal artery in the deep surface of superficial fascia；② in 39.5％the 1(2 terminal branches 0f the FB may run parallel or across with the frontal branch of the superficial temporal artery in its deep surface of superficial fascia above the plane of the supra-orbital margin．Finally, their end blower the frontal tubercle；③ The FB was located at the point of 0.75±0.25cm anteroinferior to the frontal branch of the superficial temporal artery in the superior edge of the zygomatic arch． Conclusion: The FB run between the deep zone of the superficial temporal fascia and the superficial layer of the profound temporal fascia,where their innervate the frontal muscle and the muscle surrounding the eye and the ear,etc．The FB pass through the lower and superior edge of the zygomatic arch were the posterior 1/3 and middle 1/3 into the temporal region respectively．The path of FB in the temporal region could be traced in a plane section with the lines reference to surface landmarks of the body,there-after a "risk zone" and a "relative risk zone" were defined with regard to surgical dissection．The distribution of the FB lies within the triangle composed of the lower aspect of the zygomatic arch , the frontal branch of the superficial temporal artery and the vertical line through the lateral bony angle．...