Anatomical Study of the Superficial Temporal Branches of the Auriculotemporal Nerve: Application to Surgery and Other Invasive Treatments to the Temporal Region

• Published in: Journal of plastic, reconstructive & aesthetic surgery reconstructive & aesthetic surgery, 2017-03, Vol.70 (3), p.370-374
• Main Authors: Iwanaga, Joe, DDS, PhD, Watanabe, Koichi, MD, PhD, Saga, Tsuyoshi, PhD, Fisahn, Christian, MD, Oskouian, Rod J., MD, Tubbs, R. Shane, PhD, PA-C
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Anatomy; Auriculotemporal nerve; Cadaver; Female; Headache; Humans; Male; Mandibular nerve; Mandibular Nerve - anatomy & histology; Mandibular Nerve - surgery; Plastic Surgery; Temporal Lobe - anatomy & histology; Temporal Lobe - surgery; Temporomandibular Joint - innervation; Trigeminal nerve; Trigeminal Nerve - anatomy & histology; Trigeminal Nerve - surgery
• ISSN: 1748-6815; 1878-0539
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bjps.2016.10.025

Abstract Background The auriculotemporal nerve is one of the branches of the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve, which gives rise to many branches to the retromandibular and temporal region. Of these, the superficial temporal branch can occasionally be the cause of migraine headaches and auriculotemporal neuralgia. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the anatomy of the superficial temporal branch which has never been described in detail. Methods A total of 14 sides of the cadaveric heads were used for this study. The number of superficial temporal branch were counted and the horizontal and vertical distance from the middle of the tragus to their branching point were measured, respectively. Results Three of 14 sides had two main trunks, and eleven sides had one main trunk. Each of the duplicated ATN had already branches into two main trunks as they left the retromandibular space. The number of superficial temporal branch ranged from two to seven. The vertical and horizontal distance from the middle of the tragus to the branching point of the superficial temporal branch ranged from 6.19 to 25.65 mm and 3.45 to 11.88 mm, respectively. The communicating branches occasionally formed a loop or so-called “ansa”, and a double ansa was identified in one case. Conclusions These data can give surgeons a better map of the course of these distant branches so that skin incisions can be better planned.