Variant anatomy of the facial and trigeminal nerves

Abstract

The relevance of the topic lies in the need to detail the anatomical structure of the cranial nerves to improve surgical treatment and the diagnosis of clinical cases. The aim of this study: To analyze the anatomical variations of the trigeminal and facial nerves and their zones of interaction. Materials and Methods: a theoretical review of the literature and original practical anatomical studies. Results and conclusions: A detailed analysis was carried out of the anatomical structure of the extracranial portion of the facial nerve and its interaction with branches of the trigeminal nerve, revealing a number of morphological features and topographic variants. A high degree of individual variability in the structure of the extracranial portion of the facial nerve was confirmed. One of the key findings was confirmation of significant individual variability of the facial nerve after its exit from the stylomastoid foramen. In the majority of cases studied (approximately 85%), the facial nerve divided into two main branches forming temporal and cervicofacial divisions. However, in 12% of cases a division into three branches was observed, which is a rare variant, and in 3% of cases an abnormal configuration was recorded with early branching even before the nerve exited the foramen. These branching variants indicate a high degree of anatomical variability, which is of great importance in surgical practice