Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 20, 2026
Facial Nerve Axotomy in Mice: A Model to Study Motoneuron Response to Injury
Published on: February 23, 2015
[Microanatomy study of facial nerve distribution at the temporal region for safe facelifting]
Xiang-dong Qi1, Zhi-qi Hu, Jian-hua Gao
1Department of Plastic Surgery, Nan Fang Hospital, First Military Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
Objective:
To investigate the route and scope of the facial nerve in the temporal region for clinical applications.
Methods:
Temporal region dissection was performed on 12 cadavers (24 sides) under light microscope.
Results:
There are two branches of the facial nerve in the temporal region from the superior margin of the parotid: the temporal branch and the zygomatic branch. Each of them has two to five branches, which run in the deep layer of the superficial temporal fascia. The temporal branch crosses the zygomatic arch to the temporal region, innervating the frontal muscle, the orbicularis oculi muscle, the corrugator supercilii muscle, and the muscle surrounding the ear, etc. The zygomatic branch goes to the lateral canthus, innervating the orbicularis oculi muscle, the upper and lower eyelid and zygomatic muscles. There are communicating branches among the temporal branches, the zygomatic branches and the supraorbital and lacrimal nerves of the ophthalmic nerve.
Conclusion:
The temporal branches and zygomatic branches of the facial nerve run between the deep zone of the superficial temporal fascia and the superficial layer of the profound temporal fascia, where dissection should be avoided during rhytidectomy in order not to damage the facial nerve branches.
