A Deeper Dive into the Anatomy of the Frontal Branch of the Facial Nerve.

Abstract

The frontal branch of the facial nerve innervates several muscles in the upper face and is essential for facial expression and eye closure. Injury to the frontal branch can result in functional and aesthetic issues; therefore, a thorough understanding of the anatomy and course of the frontal branch is essential for safe surgery in the lateral face and temporal region. The course of the frontal branch is variable, but certain anatomic landmarks can be used to locate the nerve. Preoperative planning, careful dissection, and intraoperative monitoring are critical to minimize nerve injury in temporal, parotid, and periorbital surgeries.