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The Relationship Between the McGregor Ligament, the Masseteric Ligaments and the Deep Fascia of the Infraorbital Region
Author(s) -
Amodeo Chiara Andretto,
Chevallier JeanMarc,
Delmas Vincent,
Keller Gregory
Publication year - 2017
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.31.1_supplement.901.2
Subject(s) - anatomy , fascia , deep fascia , temporal fascia , infraorbital nerve , ligament , zygomatic arch , medicine
The facial ligaments are very important structures that not only anchor the soft tissues to the deep structures but they also represent reference points to identify other anatomical elements such as nerves and vessels and define anatomical areas. In the midface the Mc Gregor and the massateric ligaments are important anatomical landmarks to identify the path of the facial nerve just anterior to the parotid gland toward the zygomaticus major muscle. The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between these two ligaments and the deep fascia of the infraorbital region. Materials and Methods 20 hemifaces have been dissected at the Centre du Don des Corps de l'Université Paris DesCartes in Paris to study the relationship between the Mc Gregor and the massateric ligaments and the deep fascia that continues from the temporal region and covers the mimetic muscles of the infraorbital area. Results The Mc Gregor ligament was identified as a osteocutaneous strong thick band posterior to the zygomaticus major muscle, more caudally a fasciocutaneous cluster of ligaments was observed, the lattest appeared as a fusion between the parotid fascia of the infraorbital area and the deep fascia of the infraorbital area running toward the dermis and corresponded to the massateric ligaments. The Mc Gregor ligament took relationship with the superficial layer of the deep temporal fascia in the portion where the fascial layer reaches the zygomatic bone. The path of the zygomatic branch of the facial nerve was always identified just caudal to these ligaments and protected by the deep fascia coming from the temporal region. Conclusions In all the specimens the Mc Gregor ligament and the massateric ligaments were in relationship with the superficial layer of the deep temporal fascia and a fusion between the superficial layer of the deep temporal fascia and the upper third of the parotid fascia was identified, corresponding to the masseteric ligaments. These deep fascial connections are landmarks to identify the zygomatic branch of the facial nerve toward the zygomaticus muscle.