The Presence of a Zygomatic Nerve Plexus in a Cadaveric Specimen Without a Zygomatic Branch of the Facial Nerve.

ABSTRACT: The extratemporal course of the facial nerve distributes in facial mimic muscles in a complex pattern. The traditional depictions of five main branches without anastomoses are not common. Davis classification remains the gold standard in the classification of facial nerve branching patterns. During a routine dissection of an 74-year-old male cadaveric specimen, we detected a very rare anatomical variation. The zygomatic branch of the facial nerve was totally absent. The temporofacial division of the main trunk was bifurcated to a temporal and a buccal branch. The anterior temporal and posterior buccal branches formed a plexus to supply the orbicularis oculi muscle. This unique variability highlights the complexity of the extratemporal facial nerve course. Retrograde facial nerve dissection

SUBMITTER: Poutoglidis A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10447297 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature