Facial-zygomatic triangle: A relationship between the extracranial portion of facial nerve and the zygomatic arch
Background. This study was conducted to clarify the relationships between the extracranial portion of the facial nerve (EFN) and the zygomatic arch (ZA). Method. Four cadaveric heads (8 parotid regions), examined under 3-40× magnification, were dissected from lateral to medial to expose the EFN. Fin...
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2008
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| Acceso en línea: | https://bibliotecadigital.exactas.uba.ar/collection/paper/document/paper_00016268_v150_n3_p273_Campero http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12110/paper_00016268_v150_n3_p273_Campero |
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| Sumario: | Background. This study was conducted to clarify the relationships between the extracranial portion of the facial nerve (EFN) and the zygomatic arch (ZA). Method. Four cadaveric heads (8 parotid regions), examined under 3-40× magnification, were dissected from lateral to medial to expose the EFN. Findings. In a vertical plane just anterior to the tragus, the distance from the superior edge of the ZA to the facial nerve (FN) is, on average, 26.88mm. The FN then courses superiorly and anteriorly, crossing the ZA 18.65mm anterior to the tragus on average. Thus, three points can be used to depict a triangle: A, at the level of the anterior border of the tragus, just above the superior edge of the ZA; B, 26mm below A; and C, 18mm anterior to A. This so called facial-zygomatic triangle represents the area where surgical dissection can be performed with no risk of damaging the FN. Thus, the closer one stays to the tragus, the lesser the risk of damaging the FN below the ZA. If the incision is carried out on a vertical plane closer to the tragus, the skin can be safely cut up to 2cm below the ZA. Conclusion. The facial-zygomatic triangle is a very useful superficial landmark to avoid FN damage when working below the ZA. © 2008 Springer-Verlag. |
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