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Three‐dimensional modeling of facial nerve VII (726.3)
Author(s) -
Peterson Dani
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.28.1_supplement.726.3
Subject(s) - facial nerve , anatomy , cadaver , dissection (medical) , context (archaeology) , parotid gland , medicine , meatus , magnetic resonance imaging , radiology , geology , pathology , paleontology
Due to its long and complicated trajectory through the cranium, facial nerve VII (CN VII) can be damaged in surgeries, sometimes resulting in facial muscle paralysis. We created a three‐dimensional (3D) model based on data from dissection of the nerve in a human cadaver in order to give physicians a greater in vivo knowledge of the pathway of CN VII. We dissected the lateral side of the right half of the head to the level of the parotid gland, identified the parotid plexus of CN VII, and followed its five branches. In addition, we are currently following the nerve through the internal auditory meatus on its pathway through the temporal bone. We imaged the head using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). The resulting images served as the anatomical template for the reconstructed nerve model. After completing the dissection, we tracked the nerve trajectory using a MicroScribe 3D Digitizer in the context of other nearby structures. The resulting map will aid surgeons by increasing accuracy when performing removals of acoustic neuromas and parotid tumors and in repairing the temporomandibular joint. Grant Funding Source : Supported by Mentoring Research Grant, College of Life Sciences, Brigham Young University