Zygomatic branches of the facial nerve

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Zygomatic branches of the facial nerve
Gray788.png
Plan of the facial and intermediate nerves and their communication with other nerves (labeled at center bottom, fifth from bottom, as "Malar")
Ramizygomaticinervifacialis.png
The nerves of the scalp, face, and side of neck (zygomatic branches labeled at center, near cheek)
Details
From Facial nerve
Identifiers
Latin rami zygomatici nervi facialis
TA98 A14.2.01.110
TA2 6303
FMA 53307
Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy

The zygomatic branches of the facial nerve (malar branches) are nerves of the face. They run across the zygomatic bone to the lateral angle of the orbit. Here, they supply the orbicularis oculi muscle, and join with filaments from the lacrimal nerve and the zygomaticofacial branch of the maxillary nerve (CN V2).

Contents

Structure

The zygomatic branches of the facial nerve are branches of the facial nerve (CN VII). [1] They run across the zygomatic bone to the lateral angle of the orbit. This is deep to zygomaticus major muscle. [1] They send fibres to orbicularis oculi muscle.

Connections

The zygomatic branches of the facial nerve have many nerve connections. Along their course, there may be connections with the buccal branches of the facial nerve. [2] They join with filaments from the lacrimal nerve and the zygomaticofacial nerve from the maxillary nerve (CN V2). [3] They also join with the inferior palpebral nerve and the superior labial nerve, both from the infraorbital nerve. [3]

Function

The zygomatic branches of the facial nerve supply part of the orbicularis oculi muscle. [2] This is used to close the eyelid. [2]

Clinical significance

Testing

To test the zygomatic branches of the facial nerve, a patient is asked to close their eyes tightly.[ citation needed ] This uses orbicularis oculi muscle. [2] The zygomatic branches of the facial nerve may be recorded and stimulated with an electrode. [4]

Surgical damage

Rarely, the zygomatic branches of the facial nerve may be damaged during surgery on the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). [5]

Additional images

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Facial nerve</span> Cranial nerve VII, for the face and tasting

The facial nerve, also known as the seventh cranial nerve, cranial nerve VII, or simply CN VII, is a cranial nerve that emerges from the pons of the brainstem, controls the muscles of facial expression, and functions in the conveyance of taste sensations from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue. The nerve typically travels from the pons through the facial canal in the temporal bone and exits the skull at the stylomastoid foramen. It arises from the brainstem from an area posterior to the cranial nerve VI and anterior to cranial nerve VIII.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Superior orbital fissure</span> Foramen in the skull allowing for passage of cranial nerves

The superior orbital fissure is a foramen or cleft of the skull between the lesser and greater wings of the sphenoid bone. It gives passage to multiple structures, including the oculomotor nerve, trochlear nerve, ophthalmic nerve, abducens nerve, ophthalmic veins, and sympathetic fibres from the cavernous plexus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nasalis muscle</span>

The nasalis muscle is a sphincter-like muscle of the nose. It has a transverse part and an alar part. It compresses the nasal cartilages, and can "flare" the nostrils. It can be used to test the facial nerve (VII), which supplies it.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zygomaticus major muscle</span> Facial muscle that raises the corner of the mouth and moves it posteriorly during smiling

The zygomaticus major muscle is a muscle of the face. It arises from either zygomatic arch (cheekbone); it inserts at the corner of the mouth. It is innervated by branches of the facial nerve.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zygomaticus minor muscle</span> Facial muscle that draws the upper lip upwards and backwards during smiling

The zygomaticus minor muscle is a muscle of facial expression. It originates from the zygomatic bone, lateral to the rest of the levator labii superioris muscle, and inserts into the outer part of the upper lip. It draws the upper lip backward, upward, and outward and is used in smiling. It is innervated by the facial nerve (VII).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Facial artery</span>

The facial artery is a branch of the external carotid artery that supplies structures of the superficial face.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Medial pectoral nerve</span>

The medial pectoral nerve is (typically) a branch of the medial cord of the brachial plexus and is derived from spinal nerve roots C8-T1. It provides motor innervation to the pectoralis minor muscle, and the lower half of the pectoralis major muscle. It runs along the inferior border of the pectoralis minor muscle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ophthalmic nerve</span> Sensory nerve of the face

The ophthalmic nerve (CN V1) is a sensory nerve of the head. It is one of three divisions of the trigeminal nerve (CN V), a cranial nerve. It has three major branches which provide sensory innervation to the eye, and the skin of the upper face and anterior scalp, as well as other structures of the head.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Occipitofrontalis muscle</span> Facial muscle helping to create facial expressions

The occipitofrontalis muscle is a muscle which covers parts of the skull. It consists of two parts or bellies: the occipital belly, near the occipital bone, and the frontal belly, near the frontal bone. It is supplied by the supraorbital artery, the supratrochlear artery, and the occipital artery. It is innervated by the facial nerve. In humans, the occipitofrontalis helps to create facial expressions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zygomatic nerve</span> Nerve of the face

The zygomatic nerve is a branch of the maxillary nerve. It arises in the pterygopalatine fossa and enters the orbit through the inferior orbital fissure before dividing into its two terminal branches: the zygomaticotemporal nerve and zygomaticofacial nerve.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zygomaticotemporal nerve</span> Small nerve of the face

The zygomaticotemporal nerve (zygomaticotemporal branch, temporal branch) is a cutaneous (sensory) nerve of the head. It is a branch of the zygomatic nerve (itself a branch of the maxillary nerve (CN V2)). It arises in the orbit and exits the orbit through the zygomaticotemporal foramen in the zygomatic bone to enter the temporal fossa. It is distributed to the skin of the side of the forehead. It also contains a parasympathetic secretomotor component for the lacrimal gland which it confers to the lacrimal nerve (which then delivers it to the gland).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zygomaticofacial nerve</span>

The zygomaticofacial nerve (or zygomaticofacial branch of zygomatic nerve or malar branch of zygomatic nerve) is a cutaneous (sensory) branch of the maxillary nerve (CN V2) that arises within the orbit. The zygomaticofacial nerve penetrates the inferolateral angle of the orbit, emerging into the face through the zygomaticofacial foramen, then penetrates the orbicularis oculi muscle to reach and innervate the skin of the prominence of the cheek.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lateral pectoral nerve</span>

The lateral pectoral nerve arises from the lateral cord of the brachial plexus, and through it from the C5-7.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Retromandibular vein</span> Major face vein

The retromandibular vein is a major vein of the face. It is formed within the parotid gland by the confluence of the maxillary vein, and superficial temporal vein. It descends in the gland and splits into two branches upon emerging from the gland. Its anterior branch then joins the (anterior) facial vein forming the common facial vein, while its posterior branch joins the posterior auricular vein forming the external jugular vein.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lacrimal artery</span> Artery of the orbit

The lacrimal artery is an artery of the orbit. It is a branch of the ophthalmic artery. It accompanies the lacrimal nerve along the upper border of the lateral rectus muscle, travelling forward to reach the lacrimal gland. It supplies the lacrimal gland, two rectus muscles of the eye, the eyelids, and the conjunctiva.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Angular artery</span> Artery of the face

The angular artery is an artery of the face. It is the terminal part of the facial artery. It ascends to the medial angle of the eye's orbit. It is accompanied by the angular vein. It ends by anastomosing with the dorsal nasal branch of the ophthalmic artery. It supplies the lacrimal sac, the orbicularis oculi muscle, and the outer side of the nose.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Posterior auricular nerve</span> Nerve of the head

The posterior auricular nerve is a nerve of the head. It is a branch of the facial nerve. It communicates with branches from the vagus nerve, the great auricular nerve, and the lesser occipital nerve. Its auricular branch supplies the posterior auricular muscle, the intrinsic muscles of the auricle, and gives sensation to the auricle. Its occipital branch supplies the occipitalis muscle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Temporal branches of the facial nerve</span>

The temporal branches of the facial nerve crosses the zygomatic arch to the temporal region, supplying the auriculares anterior and superior, and joining with the zygomaticotemporal branch of the maxillary nerve, and with the auriculotemporal branch of the mandibular nerve.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cervical branch of the facial nerve</span> Branch of the facial nerve in the neck

The cervical branch of the facial nerve is a nerve in the neck. It is a branch of the facial nerve (VII). It supplies the platysma muscle, among other functions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anterior auricular muscle</span> Muscle connectingthe epicranial aponeurosis to the helix of the ear

The anterior auricular muscle, the smallest of the three auricular muscles, is thin and fan-shaped, and its fibers are pale and indistinct. It arises from the lateral edge of the epicranial aponeurosis, and its fibers converge to be inserted into a projection on the front of the helix.

References

PD-icon.svgThis article incorporates text in the public domain from page 905 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)

  1. 1 2 Evans, T. William (2017). "80 - Facelift". Maxillofacial Surgery. Vol. 2 (3rd ed.). Churchill Livingstone. pp. 1195–1222. doi:10.1016/B978-0-7020-6056-4.00080-0. ISBN   978-0-7020-6056-4.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Niamtu, Joe (2018). "3 - Facelift Surgery (Cervicofacial Rhytidectomy)". Cosmetic Facial Surgery (2nd ed.). Elsevier. pp. 32–187. doi:10.1016/B978-0-323-39393-5.00003-0. ISBN   978-0-323-39393-5.
  3. 1 2 Fillmore, Erin P.; Seifert, Mark F. (2015). "22 - Anatomy of the Trigeminal Nerve". Nerves and Nerve Injuries. Vol. 1: History, Embryology, Anatomy, Imaging, and Diagnostics. Academic Press. pp. 319–350. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-410390-0.00023-8. ISBN   978-0-12-410390-0.
  4. ↑ Kennelly, Kathleen D. (2019). "21 - Clinical neurophysiology of cranial nerve disorders". Handbook of Clinical Neurology. Vol. 161. Elsevier. pp. 327–342. doi:10.1016/B978-0-444-64142-7.00058-8. ISBN   978-0-444-64142-7. ISSN   0072-9752. PMID   31307611. S2CID   196813653.
  5. ↑ McCain, Joseph P.; Kim, King (2012). "6 - Endoscopic Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery". Current Therapy In Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Saunders. pp. 31–62. doi:10.1016/B978-1-4160-2527-6.00006-2. ISBN   978-1-4160-2527-6.
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