THE MANDIBULAR MARGINAL RAMUS OF THE FACIAL-NERVE - AN ANATOMIC AND CLINICAL-STUDY

Injury to the mandibular marginal ramus of the facial n. constitutes a risk in cervicofacial surgery. The aims of this study were to define the origin of this nerve branch and its course and relations, especial ly with the lower border of the mandible and the facial vessels. Our o bservations revealed differences from the classical description of a s ingle nerve branch traveling on the outer aspect of the body of the ma ndible above its lower border. We found several marginal branches, whi ch become closely related to the facial pedicle, particularly the inte rmediate ramus, which can form a neural plexus around the facial a. Th ey may follow a submandibular course, before but also after crossing t he facial vessels. They are difficult to classify because of their gre at variability.