Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cadaver ; Chin/innervation* ; Facial Nerve/anatomy & histology* ; Facial Nerve/ultrastructure ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged
Keywords
Facial nerve ; trigeminal nerve ; anatomy and histology
Abstract
The aim of this study is to elucidate the detailed anatomical relation of mental nerve with marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve. Twenty-three hemi-faces of adult Korean cadavers (11 Male and 7 female) were dissected. All locations of crossing (C) of marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve and mental nerve were measured below the inferior verge of the lower vermillion (V): a vertical distance (V-Gn) between V and gnathion (Gn) and horizontal distance (V-OC) between V and oral commissure (OC). The mental foramen located at 19.8 +/- 4.4 mm below the inferior verge of the lower vermillion (V) and 34.3 +/- 5.2 mm laterally from the midline. In all specimens there were found interconnections between marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve and mental nerve. The number of connecting site was 8.26 +/- 2.49. Microscopically, both of the nerve branches had a common epineurium, but the perineurium separated. V-Gn and the vertical distance between V and the connecting point (C) was in the ratio of approximately 2:1, and V-OC and the horizontal distance from V:C was an equal ratio. The proximity of the mental nerve and marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve to each other draws an attention as operating the mental area.