Hun-Mu Yang1, Sung-Yoon Won, Hee-Jin Kim, Kyung-Seok Hu. 1. Division in Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Department of Oral Biology, Yonsei University College of Dentistry, Room 601, 50 Yonseiro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 120-752, South Korea.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The trigeminal nerve (CN V) supplies mostly sensory innervation to the face, and the facial nerve (CN VII) conveys primarily motor fibers. The aim of this study was to elucidate their distributions and anastomoses. METHODS: Fourteen specimens of hemisectioned faces were gathered from human cadavers and stained with Sihler staining. RESULTS: The temporal (Tbr), zygomatic (Zbr), and buccal (Bbr) branches of CN VII formed trigeminofacial anastomoses in the ocular area. Communications were observed between the supraorbital nerve and the Tbr (85.7%), the infraorbital nerve and the Bbr (100%) and Zbr (28.6%), and the zygomaticofacial nerve and the Zbr (41.7%). Anastomoses were formed between the supratrochlear nerve and the Tbr (57.1%) and Bbr (50%), and the infratrochlear nerve and the Bbr (85.7%). CONCLUSIONS: Motor and sensory axons to the face contribute to trigeminofacial anastomoses, which may play key roles in subtle movements of muscles of facial expression.
INTRODUCTION: The trigeminal nerve (CN V) supplies mostly sensory innervation to the face, and the facial nerve (CN VII) conveys primarily motor fibers. The aim of this study was to elucidate their distributions and anastomoses. METHODS: Fourteen specimens of hemisectioned faces were gathered from human cadavers and stained with Sihler staining. RESULTS: The temporal (Tbr), zygomatic (Zbr), and buccal (Bbr) branches of CN VII formed trigeminofacial anastomoses in the ocular area. Communications were observed between the supraorbital nerve and the Tbr (85.7%), the infraorbital nerve and the Bbr (100%) and Zbr (28.6%), and the zygomaticofacial nerve and the Zbr (41.7%). Anastomoses were formed between the supratrochlear nerve and the Tbr (57.1%) and Bbr (50%), and the infratrochlear nerve and the Bbr (85.7%). CONCLUSIONS: Motor and sensory axons to the face contribute to trigeminofacial anastomoses, which may play key roles in subtle movements of muscles of facial expression.
Authors: James T Heaton; Shu Hsien Sheu; Marc H Hohman; Christopher J Knox; Julie S Weinberg; Ingrid J Kleiss; Tessa A Hadlock Journal: Neuroscience Date: 2014-01-28 Impact factor: 3.590