INTRODUCTION: The facial nerve follows a complex course through the skull base. Understanding its anatomy is crucial during standard skull base approaches and resection of certain skull base tumors closely related to the nerve, especially, tumors at the cerebellopontine angle. METHODS: Herein, we review the fallopian canal and its implications in surgical approaches to the skull base. Furthermore, we suggest a new classification. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the anatomy and literature, we propose that the meatal segment of the facial nerve be included as a component of the fallopian canal. A comprehensive knowledge of the course of the facial nerve is important to those who treat patients with pathology of or near this cranial nerve.
INTRODUCTION: The facial nerve follows a complex course through the skull base. Understanding its anatomy is crucial during standard skull base approaches and resection of certain skull base tumors closely related to the nerve, especially, tumors at the cerebellopontine angle. METHODS: Herein, we review the fallopian canal and its implications in surgical approaches to the skull base. Furthermore, we suggest a new classification. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the anatomy and literature, we propose that the meatal segment of the facial nerve be included as a component of the fallopian canal. A comprehensive knowledge of the course of the facial nerve is important to those who treat patients with pathology of or near this cranial nerve.
Authors: J C Benson; K Krecke; J R Geske; J Dey; M L Carlson; J Van Gompel; J I Lane Journal: AJNR Am J Neuroradiol Date: 2019-07-11 Impact factor: 3.825
Authors: Magdalena Kozerska; Janusz Skrzat; Alexandru Spulber; Jerzy Walocha; Sebastian Wroński; Jacek Tarasiuk Journal: Surg Radiol Anat Date: 2016-09-16 Impact factor: 1.246