OBJECTIVETo study on the anatomical layers and depth of Yifeng (TE 17) so as to provide anatomical basis for clinical treatment.

METHODSFifteen fresh adult corpse samples, 10 males and 5 females, were randomly taken for investigating the anatomical structures and nerve-blood vessel relationship at the acupoint area of Yifeng (TE 17) with layer anatomical method layer by layer.

RESULTSAnterior of Yifeng (TE 17) is posterior border of condylion, the part backward is the aponeurosis of sternocleidomastoid muscle and anterior border of papillary. Structures of this point are skin, subcutaneous fascia, the posterior border of parotid, venous plexus of infratemporal fossa in turn. And the superficial layer of the point are the branches of great auricular nerve and external jugular vein. The structures of the deep layer are occipital artery, branches of upper jaw's artery and vein, pterygoid venous plexus and facial nerve, mandibular nerve. The average dangerous depth is (35.52 +/- 6.31) mm.

CONCLUSIONThere are important nerves and blood vessels around Yifeng (TE 17), which should be noted in acupuncture.

Facial Nerve ; anatomy & histology ; Humans ; Neck Muscles

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the anatomical structures of cranial nerves in the cerebellopontine angle region to offer anatomical data for clinical operation. METHOD: A total of 52 adult cadaveric heads fixed in 10% formalin were used for this study. After cutting cerebellum and meningeal between transverse and sigmoid sinus, simulate operating method of retrosigmoid approach to observe the cranial nerves. RESULT: External diameter and length of left V, VII, VIII, IX cranial nerves are (2.54 +/- 0.84) mm and (6.79 +/- 2.51) mm, (1.18 +/- 0.31) mm and (9.89 +/- 2.66) mm, (2.17 +/- 0.52) mm and (9.92 +/- 2.61) mm, (0.77 +/- 0.24) mm and (10.34 +/- 3.12) mm respectively. External diameter and length of right V , VII, VIII, IX cranial nerves are (2.52 +/- 0.86) mm and (6.91 +/- 2.66) mm, (1.14 +/- 0.31) mm and (10 +/- 2.96) mm, (2.13 +/- 0.63) m and (10.09 +/- 2.93) mm, (0.790.29) mm and (10.17 +/- 3.06) mm. intermedius nerve locate between facial nerve and acoustic nerve, external diameter of intermedius nerve is (0.47 +/- 0.91) mm (left) and (0.37 +/- 0.07) mm (right). Length of vagal nerve is (10.44 +/- 2.57) mm (left), (9.91 +/- 2.91) mm (right), rootlets of f vagal nerve is 6.37 +/- 2.26 (left) and 6.33 +/- 2.38 (right). external diameter of accessory nerve is (0.76 +/- 0.16) mm (left) and (0.81 +/- 0.19) mm (right). CONCLUSION This study provide anatomical data for retrosigmoid approach in the cerebellopontine angle region.
Adult ; Cerebellopontine Angle ; anatomy & histology ; Cranial Nerves ; anatomy & histology ; Cranial Sinuses ; anatomy & histology ; surgery ; Facial Nerve ; anatomy & histology ; Glossopharyngeal Nerve ; anatomy & histology ; Humans ; Vestibulocochlear Nerve ; anatomy & histology

Electrogustometry has become one of the most important and useful diagnostic methods as has audiometry and vestibular function tests in the otolaryngological field. Although much literature, concerning the facial nerve and gustatory function have appeared, still problems remain to be solved in future research. To these points of view, the anatomical relationships of the nerves associated with gustatory function were reviewed and discussed. And also the clinical importance and usability of electrogustometry is emphasized.
Chorda Tympani Nerve/anatomy & histology ; Facial Nerve/anatomy & histology* ; Facial Nerve/physiopathology ; Human ; Taste* ; Taste Disorders/physiopathology

Blood Vessels ; anatomy & histology ; Facial Nerve ; blood supply ; Humans

OBJECTIVETo determine the optimal position of hypoglossal nerve in hypoglossal-facial nerve anastomosis and the eligibility of hypoglossal-facial nerve anastomosis with the cervical loop.

METHODSThe cervical course and adjacent structures of the hypoglossal nerve were observed on 21 adult cadavers. The hypoglossal nerve and facial nerve were taken from 3 fresh specimens, and the number of the fasciculus and the cross-sectional area of the nerve were measured.

RESULTSThe facial nerve trunk were monofascicular with a cross-sectional area of 5.1-/+0.2 (range 4.6-5.7) mm(2). The number of the fasciculus and the cross-sectional areas of the nerve trunk and the fasciculus were 1.6-/+0.8 (range 1-4) mm(2) , 7.5-/+0.7 mm(2) (range 6.8-8.0) mm(2), and 4.7-/+0.6 (4.1-5.5) mm(2), respectively, at the proximal segment of the hypoglossal nerve, 3.6-/+0.5 (1-5) mm(2) , 5.6-/+0.5 (4.9-6.1) mm(2) , and 1.6-/+0.4 (0.9-2.2) mm(2) at the distal segment, and 2.4-/+0.8 (1-3) mm(2), 1.1-/+0.7 (0.6-2.2) mm(2), and 0.5-/+0.3 (0.3-1.2) mm(2) at the cervical loop.

CONCLUSIONThe cervical loop is inadequate for facial nerve anastomosis and the proximal segment is large enough to allow partial harvesting of the hypoglossal nerve for neurotisation of the facial nerve.

Anastomosis, Surgical ; methods ; Cadaver ; Facial Nerve ; anatomy & histology ; surgery ; Humans ; Hypoglossal Nerve ; anatomy & histology ; surgery ; Nerve Transfer ; methods

OBJECTIVETo study the anatomy of angular nerve (AN), so as to provide safe approach for the denervation surgery of corrugator supercilii, depressor supercilii and procerus.

METHODS10 fresh cadaver (20 sides)were perfused and fixed with formalin. Dissection was performed in the 10 x operating microscope. The plexus of the zygomatic branch and the buccal branch were detected to confirm the AN. The relationship of AN with the surrounding blood vessels was observed. We tracked AN until it entered corrugator supercilii, depressor supercilii and procerus.

RESULTS(1) AN was classified into I, II, III type according to its formation pattern. Type I (20%, 4/20 sides) AN is single, which is mainly from the plexus of buccal branch plus the zygomatic branch from the orbicularis oculi muscle. In type II (20%, 4/20 sides), the single AN was formed by buccal branch plexus and zygomatic branch plexus in the "Four Muscle Gap". In type III (60%, 12/20 sides), the AN had two branches in the "Four Muscle Gap". (2) The three types AN passed inferior to the support ligament at the suborbital part, and then transversed medial to the support ligament at the medial canthus, along the vessels of medial canthus. (3) The branch of AN enters the depressor supercilii or procerus 2.19 to 4.28 mm above the medial canthus ligament. The backward branch enters the levator labii superioris alaeque nasi 6.89 to 9.38 mm below the medial canthus ligament.

CONCLUSIONSThe approach of denervation surgery for AN should be performed medial to the support ligation, between 2.19 mm above the medial canthus and 6.89 mm below the medial canthus.

Adult ; Cadaver ; Denervation ; Facial Muscles ; innervation ; Facial Nerve ; anatomy & histology ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male

OBJECTIVETo study the course and distribution of buccal and marginal mandibular branches of facial nerve, and its relevance to the treatment of facial paralysis and the protection of facial nerve during surgery.

METHODS12 cadaver heads were dissected (24 specimens). The course of the buccal and marginal mandibular branch and the interconnections between them were observed. The relationship of buccal branch to parotid duct, marginal mandibular branch to the inferior border of mandible were studied. With modified Sihler's staining technique, the distribution of facial nerve branches in innervated mimetic muscles was displayed. These anatomic relationships mentioned above were further confirmed during the operation of 40 patients with facial paralysis.

RESULTSParotid duct had a constant surface landmark. Buccal branch mainly consisted of 2-3 ramifications in 87.5% of the specimens, while marginal mandibular branch was double or single in 95.9% of the specimens. The buccal branch coursed within the distance between 10.7 mm above and 9.3 mm below the parotid duct, and innervated mimetic muscles of midface. The marginal mandibular branch coursed within the distance between 13.4 mm above and 4.8 mm below the lower border of mandible, crossed superiorly the facial artery and innervated mimetic muscles of lower lip.

CONCLUSIONSThere is a close relationship of buccal branch to parotid duct and marginal mandibular branch to facial artery and lower border of mandible. With modified Sihler's staining technique, the original 3-dimensional picture of the intramuscular nerve distribution in human mimetic muscles.

Adult ; Facial Nerve ; anatomy & histology ; Facial Paralysis ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Male ; Mandible ; anatomy & histology ; innervation

Adult ; Cranial Fossa, Middle ; anatomy & histology ; surgery ; Ear, Inner ; anatomy & histology ; surgery ; Facial Nerve ; anatomy & histology ; surgery ; Humans ; Male

BACKGROUNDThe temporal bone has the most complicated anatomic feature among the whole human body, which always challenges otolaryngologists. This study was to study three-dimensional (3D) morphology of the temporal bone and the ear by means of a computer image processing technique, for the purpose of providing a 3D image to help in pathological, diagnostic and surgical procedures.

METHODSForty sets of temporal bone celloidin serial sections with reference points were prepared and the contours of selected structures and reference points were entered into a graphics programme. The technique of computer-aided 3D reconstruction was applied to obtain 3D images and parameters of the temporal bones and the ears. Stereo views of the ossicles (n = 5), the facial nerves (n = 11), the posterior tympanic sinuses (n = 11), the posterior ampullary nerves (n = 4), the endolymphatic ducts and sacs (n = 5), and the bony and membranous labyrinth (n = 1) were reconstructed.

RESULTSThree-dimensional images, including the cochlea, the ossicles, the nerves, the tendons and the endolymphatic fluid system in the temporal bone, were obtained. Stereo picture pairs and 3D parameters of spatial dimensions, angle and volume for these reconstructed structures were calculated. The arrangement of the ossicles, spatial relationship of the bony and membranous labyrinth, the whole course of the facial nerves, the endolymphatic sac and posterior tympanic cavity were clearly observable. Stereo picture pairs made the spatial relationships among the above-mentioned structures much clearer. The operation of the posterior ampullary nerve transection was designed and simulated on the graphic computer based on 3D anatomic investigations.

CONCLUSIONThe technique of computer-aided 3D reconstruction provides a new tool to observe the morphology of the temporal bone and thus may allow design and study of new surgical approaches.

Ear ; anatomy & histology ; Facial Nerve ; anatomy & histology ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Temporal Bone ; anatomy & histology

OBJECTIVE: To study a new surgical approach for cochlear implantation. METHOD: We operated on 8 cadaver heads (16 side) use Suprameatal approach for cochlear implantation, describe related anatomic mark. RESULT: The electrode is passed through the suprameatal tunnel, the EAC groove, the space underneath the chorda tympani between the malleal and the long process of the incus, and the cochleostomy. Angle between tunnel and temporal imaginary line is 28.0 degrees +/- 1.3 degrees in adult, 29.0 degrees +/- 1.7 degrees in children, the location of inserting electrode into cochleostomy is (1.31 +/- 0.13) mm to round window in adult, (1.19 +/- 0.12) mm in child. CONCLUSION The SMA approach is a safe technique, maintaining a safe distance to facial nerve and chorda tympani. So We should make right decision in clinic.
Adult ; Child ; Chorda Tympani Nerve ; anatomy & histology ; Cochlear Implantation ; methods ; Ear Canal ; anatomy & histology ; surgery ; Facial Nerve ; anatomy & histology ; Humans ; Round Window, Ear ; anatomy & histology