The principal function of cranial nerve 7 (CN VII), the facial nerve, is to provide motor innervation to the muscles of facial expression. The temporal branch of the facial nerve primarily innervates the frontalis muscle, which raises the eyebrow.
Objective:
To present a case that illustrates the importance of facial nerve anatomy to skin surgery practice.
Conclusion:
The relevant surgical anatomy of the temporal branch is reviewed, as well as clinical practice points around nerve damage in skin surgery.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
SalascheSJBernsteinGSenkarikM. Surgical anatomy of the skin. Norwalk (CT): Appleton & Lange; 1988.
2.
ZaniRFadulRDa RochaMA. Facial nerve in rhytidoplasty: anatomic study of its trajectory in the overlying skin and the most common sites of injury. Ann Plast Surg2003;51:236–42, doi:10.1097/01.SAP.0000063755.42122.5F.
3.
HouseJWBrackmannDE. Facial nerve grading system. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg1985;93:146–7.
4.
GrabskiWJSalascheSJ. Management of temporal nerve injuries. J Dermatol Surg Oncol1985;11:145–51.