Purpose: This study identified the terminal temporal and zygomatic branches
of the facial nerve as they enter the orbicularis oculi muscle and related
these branches to identifiable surface markings.
Materials and Methods: The temporal and zygomatic branches of the facial ne
rve mere dissected from 5 preserved cadavers (10 sides). The most superior
temporal branch entering the orbicularis oculi muscle was identified and re
lated to the lateral canthus of the eye. A vertical line was passed through
this point so that the line was equidistant from the nasal tip and chin po
int. A line perpendicular to the vertical line through the lateral canthus
sen ed as the horizontal scale. Vertical and horizontal lines through the l
ateral canthus were used to establish the anatomic relationship between the
lateral canthus and the branch of the temporal nerve entering the orbicula
ris oculi muscle.
Results: The temporal branch was an average of 2.85 +/- 0.69 cm superior to
the lateral canthus and an average of 2.54 +/- 0.43 cm lateral to the late
ral canthus as it courses into the orbicularis oculi muscle. At the lateral
border of the orbicularis oculi muscle, where the temporal and zygomatic n
erves insert into the muscle, the mean vertical distance between the tempor
al and zygomatic nerves was 1.72 +/- 0.62. cm.
Conclusion: Incisions superior or inferior and parallel to the course of th
e facial nerve, can provide access to the fronto zygomatic suture and the s
uperior and lateral orbit without damaging its branches, (C) 2001 American
Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.