English

Abstract

BACKGROUND & AIM OF THE STUDY: The facial nerve gives off five main terminal branches within the substance of parotid gland. They diverge within the gland and supply the muscles of facial expression. Distinctive anastomotic patterns has been previously studied and reported. These anastomoses have pragmatic significance in surgical terms. The purpose of our study is to review the branching pattern of the facial nerve on the face and evaluate the variant anatomical relationships with adjacent structures. MATERIALS& METHODS: The study was done at Kasturba Medical College, Manipal and Hassan institute of medical sciences, Hassan. The facial nerve was dissected on thirty cadavers bilaterally (60 sides). The five terminal branches were observed from their point of origin in the parotid gland and traced to their termination. The distances from the neighboring structures were measured to elucidate anatomical relations further. The results obtained were analyzed and compared with the previous studies. RESULTS: Wide variation in the branching pattern of facial nerve was noted. CONCLUSION: The knowledge of variant relations of the facial nerve branches will be of utmost importance for the maxillofacial and plastic surgeons for the preservation of the facial nerve in surgeries like parotidectomy, reconstructive surgeries of the face etc. The variations in the branching pattern can also presumably explain why accidental or deliberate division of a particular branch often fails to result in the anticipated facial nerve weakness.