An Anatomic Study of the Facial Nerve Trunk and Branching Pattern in an African Population

Abstract

There are known racial variations in the branching and furcation pattern and the length of the facial nerve (FN) trunk and hardly any studies from the black African population. Surgeries around the FN predispose it to trauma and warrant a detailed anatomy of its branching pattern. Using a descriptive cross-sectional study, a total of 40 FN (20 fresh cadavers) were dissected to record the pattern and length of the FN. The frequency of various patterns of FN using the Davis et al classification was as follows: type I: 10 (25%), type II: 9 (22.5%), type III: 7 (17.5%), type IV: 6 (15%), type V: 2 (5%), and type VI: 6 (15%). The nerve bifurcated in 32(80%) and trifurcated in 8(20%) of the cadavers. There was no statistical difference in the branching patterns ( p = 0.509) and furcation types ( p = 0.414) between the sides and gender. The length of the trunk of the FN measured from the stylomastoid foramen to the bifurcation point was 16.14(−/+ 3.28 mm). The results from this data established a variation in the anatomical branching pattern of the FN in a black Kenyan population.

Morphology and variability of the facial nerve trunk depending on the branching pattern, gender, anthropometric type and side of the head in Moldovan population

“…The reported incidence of the FNT bifurcation is about 80%, the trifurcation -14% and numerical variants are found in 6% [8,[18][19]. In the current study the bifurcation of the FNT was established in 84% of cases (including 6.7% of number variation), trifurcation was established in 6.6% and multifurcation in 9.4% of cases.…”

“…In the current study the bifurcation of the FNT was established in 84% of cases (including 6.7% of number variation), trifurcation was established in 6.6% and multifurcation in 9.4% of cases. In cases of the facial canal dehiscence a double or triple FNT is present [8,15,19].…”

Variations in Facial Nerve Branches and Anatomical Landmarks for Its Trunk Identification: A Pilot Cadaveric Study in the Lithuanian Population

“…However, the study conducted by Weerapanta et al showed that type V is the most frequent in the Thailand population [25]. Thuku et al concluded type I as the most common in the African population [26]. Rana et al, Quadros et al, and Bendella & colleagues found type II as the most common in Pakistan, Indian, and German subjects, respectively [27-29] (Table 5).…”

Extratemporal facial nerve branching patterns: systematic review of 1497 cases

“…Fourteen studies were conducted in Asia, [11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24] three in the USA, 5,25,26 three in Europe, 8,27,28 and one in Africa. 29 All studies were published between 1956 and 2019. The number of specimens in each study ranged from 20 to 350.…”

“…Based on the Quality Appraisal for Cadaveric Studies scale, the study with the highest reliability was that of Thuku et al, scoring 13 of 13 points, 29 followed by the study by Stankevicius and Suchomlinov with 12 of 13 points. 28 The study with the lowest methodological quality was that by Quadros et al with 5 of 13 points.…”