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Updated: Aug 6, 2026
10:11
Facial Nerve Axotomy in Mice: A Model to Study Motoneuron Response to Injury
Published on: February 23, 2015
Periocular Facial Nerve Axonal Analysis and Anatomical Localization: Implications for Blink Reanimation
Nomongo Dorjsuren1, Jarret M Jackson1, Rahul Sharma1
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.
Facial Plastic Surgery & Aesthetic Medicine
|July 22, 2026
Summary
Facial nerve branches (frontal, zygomatic, orbicularis oculi) show similar axon counts, suggesting suitability for cross-face nerve grafting in dynamic blink restoration surgery.
Area of Science:
- Anatomy
- Neurosurgery
- Histology
Background:
- Cross-face nerve grafting is common for smile reanimation.
- Its use in dynamic blink restoration is less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- Compare axon counts of facial nerve branches.
- Assess suitability for cross-face nerve grafting.
Main Methods:
- Dissection of four human anatomical specimens.
- Histological analysis with FluoroMyelin staining.
- Quantitative axon counting using QuPath software.
Main Results:
- Mean axon counts: frontal (405.0), zygomatic (367.4), orbicularis oculi (285.8).
- No statistically significant difference in mean axon counts (p=0.0757).
- Variability observed; lateral orbicularis oculi branches common.
Conclusions:
- Frontal, zygomatic, and orbicularis oculi branches have similar axon counts.
- Findings support their potential use in cross-face nerve grafting for blink restoration.
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