Applied anatomy of auriculotemporal incision in zygomatic reduction surgery

Objective:To investigate the anatomic characteristics and relationships of the frontal branches of the superficial temporal artery and facial nerve, temporal mandibular joint and discuss their clinical significances. Methods:The distribution of frontal branches of the superficial temporal artery and facial nerve, the location of temporal mandibular joint were observed on 32 sides of seventeen cadaveric specimens(15 antiseptic specimens and two fresh cadavers). Results: In the area between horizontal lines of ectoconchion and tragion, the frontal branches of facial nerve always run anteroinferiorly to the frontal branches of superficial temporal artery with the farthest distance in the vertical direction of TE line about(22.32±9.16)mm. The area distributed about(32.68±7.53)mm anterior to Obs point. E point located 30mm above ectoconchion. The anterior border of temporomandibular joint disc located (3.40±0.75)mm posterior to zygomatic articular tubercle insertion and (18.60±3.60)mm anterior to tragion.Conclusions: The temporal incision parallelling posterosuperiorly to TE line could avoid the damage for related nerve and artery. The osteotomy point of zygomatic arch locating 25mm anterior to tragion could avoid the injury for articular disc.