Applied anatomy of the frontal branch of facial nerve marked by middle temporal vein (MTV)

Objective To locate the path of the frontal branch of facial nerve(FB) marked by MTV(midle temporal vein). Methods 12 fixed and 2 fresh adult heads specimens were microdissected to observe the relationship of MTV and FB. Results FB run between the deep zone of the superficial temporal fascia and the superficial layer of the profound temporal fascia, MTV runs in the superficial fat pad between the superficial and deep layer of the deep tempral fascia, it has two subdivisions of zygomatic-middle temporal vein and zygomatic-lateral vein, MTV connects the deep temporal vein and STV(superficial temporal vein) and pterygoid venous. On the ZT line. The average distance from the intersection of the MTV to the which connect the two point of Zygomatic arch meets the helix and Zygomatic process of frantal bone, the distance from MTV to the nearest FB is 9.3±4.3?mm;to the farest FB is 23.5±3.6?mm. Conclusion The zone from the point on the ZT line to FB 5.0～27.1?mm is the risk aera for the MTV.