Cranial and spinal nerve anastomoses in man

Nerve anastomoses normally exist in human body between cranial nerves, spinal nerves, and between cranial and spinal nerves. They are also frequently performed in surgeries for recovery of functions of denervated areas. These anastomoses are of utmost importance in the process of reinnervation and nerve repair following individual nerve injury. Examples of cranial nerve anastomoses are demonstrated between the branches of the facial nerve and other nerves, the nerves of the tongue, the laryngeal nerves of the vagus nerve, and the optic nerves. Examples of spinal nerve anastomoses are also displayed between the spinal nerve roots and between the individual nerves of the different somatic nerve plexuses: cervical, brachial, lumbar, and