[Anatomical study of the temporalis tendon. Value in temporalis lengthening myoplasty].

The lengthening temporalis myoplasty is indicated in long standing and congenital facial paralysis. Its principle is the transfer of the coronoid tendinous insertions onto the lip and the nasolabial fold. The knowledge of the anatomy of this strong and wide tendon is necessary to use successfully their anatomical advantages. A study of ten cadavers (20 temporalis muscles) confirmed the surgical anatomy found during lengthening temporalis myoplasty procedure: the strong tendon, when liberated from the coronoid process, is from 4 to 6 cm long.