Anatomical variation in the cervical branch of the facial nerve: a systematic review.

IF 1.2 4区医学 Q2 Medicine

Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy Pub Date : 2026-10-12 DOI:10.1007/s00276-026-03969-w

Joseph Pathiparampil Mano, Shubham Dave, Mohammed Faraaz Saiyed, Yangmyung Ma, Kallirroi Tzafetta, Sami Al-Ani

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background: There is a paucity of literature on the anatomical variations of the cervical branch of the facial nerve (CBFN). Poor awareness of its anatomy and variations risks intraoperative damage, misdiagnosis of facial nerve injury and undesirable functional and aesthetic outcomes for patients.

Purpose: To review anatomical studies on the CBFN and synthesise data on its course, innervations and common variations.

Methods: A PRISMA-compliant systematic review of anatomical studies of the cervical branch of the facial nerve was conducted. PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were searched up to July 2025. Papers were quality appraised, and data relevant to the anatomy of the CBFN were extracted.

Results: Thirty-five papers with a collated sample size of 867 hemi-necks were identified: 25 with anatomical dissections and 10 case reports. The mean number of CBFN branches was 1.34 (sensitivity range 1.31-1.36). Communication with the marginal mandibular nerve, transverse cervical nerve and great auricular nerve was variable, with prevalences ranging from 22-97%. Distances between the nerve and anatomical landmarks were heterogeneous. Many individual cases of cervical branch variation in course and relationship to nearby vasculature were identified.

Conclusion: The cervical branch of the facial nerve displays wide variability in its course. Pre-operative mapping, careful dissection and intra-operative nerve stimulation to aid accurate identification are recommended to prevent iatrogenic damage.

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解剖变异在颈面部神经的分支:系统回顾。

背景：关于面神经颈支（CBFN）解剖变异的文献很少。对其解剖结构和变异的认识不足，可能会造成术中损伤、面神经损伤的误诊以及患者功能和美观的不良后果。目的：回顾CBFN的解剖学研究，并综合有关其病程、神经支配和常见变异的资料。方法:PRISMA-compliant系统综述的面部神经的解剖颈的研究分支。PubMed、Embase、Scopus、Cochrane Library、Web of Science和谷歌Scholar的检索截止日期为2025年7月。对论文进行质量评价，并提取与CBFN解剖相关的数据。结果：共鉴定出35篇文献，共867份半颈标本，其中25份为解剖解剖，10份为病例报告。CBFN平均分支数为1.34个（敏感性范围1.31 ~ 1.36）。与下颌边缘神经、颈横神经和耳大神经的交通是可变的，患病率在22-97%之间。神经与解剖标志之间的距离是不均匀的。许多个别病例的颈椎分支变异的过程和关系附近的血管被确定。结论：面神经颈支在运动过程中表现出广泛的变异性。术前定位、仔细解剖和术中神经刺激有助于准确识别，以防止医源性损伤。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy Medicine-Pathology and Forensic Medicine

CiteScore

2.40

自引率

14.30%

发文量

期刊介绍： Anatomy is a morphological science which cannot fail to interest the clinician. The practical application of anatomical research to clinical problems necessitates special adaptation and selectivity in choosing from numerous international works. Although there is a tendency to believe that meaningful advances in anatomy are unlikely, constant revision is necessary. Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, the first international journal of Clinical anatomy has been created in this spirit. Its goal is to serve clinicians, regardless of speciality-physicians, surgeons, radiologists or other specialists-as an indispensable aid with which they can improve their knowledge of anatomy. Each issue includes: Original papers, review articles, articles on the anatomical bases of medical, surgical and radiological techniques, articles of normal radiologic anatomy, brief reviews of anatomical publications of clinical interest. Particular attention is given to high quality illustrations, which are indispensable for a better understanding of anatomical problems. Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy is a journal written by anatomists for clinicians with a special interest in anatomy.