The investigation of microscopic anatomy of hypoglossal nerve and facial nerve anastomosis

Abstract

Objective To study the microscopic anatomy of the facial nerve trunk,and provide some important morphometric data about facial-hypoglossal nerve anastomosis.Methods The cervical course and adjacent structures of the hypoglossal nerve were observed on 5 adult cadavers;the facial nerve trunk (from stem hole to fork of breast of facial nerve) and the distance from mastoidale to stem hole and sectional area of hypoglossal nerve frunk were measured.The operation was imitate on 5 cadavers.Results The length of the facial nerve trunk was ( 15.71 ± 1.97) mm,its diameter upon its emergence from the foramen was( 2.57 ± 0.60) mm.The distance between the bifurcation and the mastoidale was ( 18.20 ± 4.40)mm.The distance between the bifurcation and the mandibular angle was (39.91 ± 8.38) mm.The distance between the mastoidale and the stylomastoid foramen was (17.91 ±2.68) mm.The facial nerve trunk was monofascicular with across-sectional area of 4.6-5.7 (5.1 ± 0.2) mm2.The number of the fasciculus and the cross-sectional areas of the nerve trunk and the fasciculus were 1-4 ( 1.6 ± 0.8) bind,6.8-8.0 (7.5 ± 0.7)mm2,and 4.1-5.5 (4.7 ±0.6) mm2,rospectively,at the distance their number were 1-5 (3.6 ±0.5) bind,4.9-6.1 (5.6 ± 0.5) mm2.Conclusion Hypoglossal nerve and facial nerve anastomosis and facial-hypoglossal nerve anastomosis into the graft could be used in patients,and hypoglossal nerve function can be achieved to minimize the effect of the collapse. Key words: Hypoglossal nerve; Facial nerve; Anastomosis,surgical; Neuroanatomy