The Temporal Branch of the Facial Nerve: How Reliably Can We Predict Its Path?

Extracranial Course of the Facial Nerve Revisited

“…Regarding the relationship of the temporal branches with other important neurovascular structures, the temporal twigs of the facial nerve are located anteroinferiorly to the superficial temporal artery (Gosain et al, 1997;Tayfur et al, 2010). Our results confirm those reports.…”

“…The temporal branch can be easily identified as it emerges at the superior border of the parotid gland and crosses over the zygomatic arch to get the fronto-orbital region. It has been described as a single one (Zani et al, 2003;Babakurban et al, 2010), as having three branches (Ammirati et al, 1993), two to four branches (Cruveilhier, 1867;Hovelacque, 1927;Ishikawa, 1990;Gosain et al, 1997;Sabini et al, 2003;De Bonnecaze et al, 2015), or up to six branches (Lineaweaver et al, 1997). We found a variable number of temporal branches, from one to five.…”

Unilateral transient forehead paralysis following injury to the temporal branch of the facial nerve

“…The area bordered by this curved line and L1 and L2 should include all the branches of the nerve. Gosain et al 13…”

Endoscopic lateral orbitotomy

“…3). As this corridor runs between the bone and the muscle, the frontotemporal branches of the facial nerve (which run on the temporalis fascia), remain safe [5]. The space for a telescope and tools is maintained with a spatula fixed to a holder.…”