ANATOMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE TEMPOROFACIAL NERVE BRANCH WITHIN THE PAROTID GLAND IN VIETNAMESE ADULTS

Objectives: Describe anatomical characteristics of the temporal branch of the facial nerve within the parotid gland in Vietnamese adults. Study population: The study was conducted in 12 hemifaces (right: 7; left: 5) of Vietnamese adult cadavers (5 cadavers with both hemifaces and 2 cadavers with only hemiface). Gender: 4 male (57.1%) and 3 female (42.9%). The average age was 73.0 ± 13.39 years (52-88 years). Method: Descriptive cross-sectional with analysis. Result and Conclusion: Most of the temporofacial trunks were located within the parotid gland (81.8%); 18.2% were located behind the parotid gland. The length of the facial nerve within the parotid gland was 8.88 ± 3.55 mm (4.62 - 16.96mm). The distance from the division point of the temporofacial trunk into the temporofrontal branch and the orbital nerve branch to the line (d) [crossing through the lateral canthus (A) and the point that root of the helix intersecting with the face] and (d2) [crossing the lateral canthus and the upper point of the tragus, just above the upper edge of external auditory canal] was 36.06 ± 7.50mm (19.26- 45.34 mm) và 21.94 ± 6.28 mm (11.52- 37.20 mm).