Abstract

CAMPERO, Álvaro et al. Relación entre la porciónextracraneana del nervio facial y el arco cigomático: triángulo cigomático-facial. Rev. argent. neurocir. [online]. 2006, vol.20, n.2, pp.51-54. ISSN 1850-1532.

Objective: To determine the relationship between the extracranialportion of the seventh nerve and the zygomatic arch.Method: We studied 4 cadaveric heads (8 parotid regions) formaline fixedand injected with coloured silicone. A surgical microscope was used to performthe disections. Measures were taken with a caliper.Results: The facial nerve has 6 portions. The extracranial portionstarts when the nerve traverses the stylomastoid foramen, running inside theparotid gland. Just anterior to the tragus, the nerve is located 26.88 mm belowthe superior edge of the zygomatic arch. From that point, the nerve takes asuperior and anterior direction, crossing the zygomatic arch 18.65 mm ahead ofthe tragus. Thus, drawing a triangle (zygomatic-facial triangle), with threepoints: a) over the superior edge of the zygomatic arch, at the level of theanterior border of the tragus, b) 26 mm below the point a, and c) 18 mm aheadthe point a, we can trace a safe area of working, without risk of damage of thefacial nerve.Conclusion: The zygomatic-facial triangle is a very useful landmark forto work below the zygomatic arch with a low risk of damage of the facial nerve.

Keywords : Facial nerve; Orbitozygomaticapproach; Zygomatic arch.

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