Geniculate Ganglion Anatomy for the Otologist

The microneurosurgical anatomy legacy of Albert L. Rhoton Jr., MD: an analysis of transition and evolution over 50 years

“…This study benefited the efforts to preserve CN VII during acoustic tumor surgery and attracted the attention of other neurosurgeons. Dr. Rhoton also studied the trigeminal nerve for the purpose of percutaneous stereotactic radiofrequency lesioning, 11,24,30,105 the optic nerve for optic nerve decompression, 26,27 and the jugular foramen and the lower cranial nerves for the treatment of glossopharyngeal neuralgia and jugular foramen tumors. 102 At that time, because making color slides was costly, only black-and-white photographs were taken during the research.…”

Facial Nerve Rerouting in Skull Base Surgery

“…The labyrinthine segment originates at the meatal foramen, which is the narrowest point in the intratemporal bony canal, measuring on average 0.7 mm in diameter [1]. It is also the shortest segment in the fallopian canal, measuring approximately 3.5 mm to 4 mm in length [2]. At this level the nerve is 1 mm directly posterior to the cochlea.…”

“…At this level the nerve is 1 mm directly posterior to the cochlea. It is also 3 mm anterior to the superior semicircular canal and rests on the anterior part of the vestibule [2]. Because the labyrinthine segment is the narrowest part of the facial nerve, it is most susceptible to compression secondary to edema.…”

“…With the anterior exit of the greater superficial petrosal nerve at the geniculate ganglion, the main trunk of the nerve turns abruptly posteriorly, forming the tympanic segment that ends at the second genu [2]. The tympanic segment extends from the geniculate ganglion to the region of the horizontal semicircular canal.…”