Microsurgical anatomy and clinical significance of temporal branches of facial nerve

Objective To provide anatomical basis for the preservation of the temporal branches of the facial nerve under operation on temporal region.Methods Ten adult cadaveric heads(20 sides) fixed in 10% formalin were examined using microsurgical techniques and instruments,including the operating microscope.Subtemporal-preauricular infratemporal fossa was selected to study.The number of the temporal branches of the facial nerve and its distribution were observed.The distances between the temporal branches and marking point selected were measured.Results ①The number of the temporal branches was 2~4 acrossing the zygomatic arch,and about 85% was 3.②The distances from the apex of tragus to the most posterior temporal branch,most anterior temporal branch were(16.32±2.43)mm,(31.30±2.64)mm,respectively.③They ran between the superficial temporal fascia and the superficial layer of the deep temporal fascia after acrossing the zygomatic arch.Conclusions The temporal branches of the facial nerve cross zygomatic arch at the distance of 16.32~31.30mm before the tragus.It is safe to dissect in the plane between the deep layer of the deep temporal fascia and the temporal muscle.