Surgical landmarks for the facial nerve.

A number of different approaches can be used to expose the facial nerve. The route taken will depend on the pathology and the portion of the nerve that requires exposure. When performing a parotidectomy approach to the extratemporal portion of the facial nerve, the tragal pointer is a key landmark, but other landmarks also should be used to identify the facial nerve safely. The lateral semicircular canal, the chorda tympani nerve, the digastric ridge, and the cochleariform process are some of the useful landmarks in the mastoid and middle ear. When performing a middle fossa approach, the superior semicircular canal, the greater petrosal nerve, and a window through the tegmen tympani into the attic are useful guideposts. The surgeon should use as many of the available landmarks as feasible to perform safe facial nerve surgery.