The blood supply of the peripheral branch of the facial nerve

Abstract

Because of the long extension of axon aiming to distal region, it is necessary for all peripheral nerves to derive the nutrient supply from not only the nerve cell body but also the peripheral part. When the peripheral nerve passes, In general, nutrient artery "Vasa nervorum" accompanies nerve fiber to peripheral region and derives in the epineurium, reach the endoneurium through the perineurium and make capillary plexus. It is also said Vasa nervorum of facial nerve concerns facial nerve palsy. Therefore the morphological features of the blood supply of the facial nerve out of the stylomastoid foramen were observed. Eighteen adult cadavers from 46 to 80 years old in whom dye was injected were observed under stereo microscope. Moreover, the region of the epineuria was observed with SEM. As a result, Vasa nervorum was derived from complex reticulation structure that were formed of mainly superficial temporal, facial, transverse facial and zygomatico‐orbital artery and collaterally supraorbital, deep temporal, buccal artery and parotid branches. SEM showed that one capillary was accompanied in each perineurium.