Clinical anatomy of the chorda tympani: a systematic review

The chorda tympani is at risk of iatrogenic injury throughout its course. This paper reviews the clinical anatomy of the nerve in adults. Systematic literature review. Relevant English-language articles were identified using five electronic databases and one search engine. Data from approximately 70...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of laryngology and otology 2011-11, Vol.125 (11), p.1101-1108
Main Authors: McManus, L J, Dawes, P J D, Stringer, M D
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Biological and medical sciences
Chorda Tympani Nerve - anatomy & histology
Chorda Tympani Nerve - injuries
Chorda Tympani Nerve - physiology
Ear, Inner - anatomy & histology
Ear, Middle - anatomy & histology
Eardrum
Facial Nerve - anatomy & histology
Humans
Infant
Lingual Nerve - anatomy & histology
Male
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Otologic Surgical Procedures - adverse effects
Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology
Salivation - physiology
Sensation - physiology
Taste - physiology
Temporal Bone - anatomy & histology
Tongue - innervation
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Summary:The chorda tympani is at risk of iatrogenic injury throughout its course. This paper reviews the clinical anatomy of the nerve in adults. Systematic literature review. Relevant English-language articles were identified using five electronic databases and one search engine. Data from approximately 70 scientific papers were supplemented with information from selected reference texts. The anatomy of the chorda tympani differs from standard descriptions, particularly regarding its exit from the middle ear and area of lingual innervation. Whilst it is known to convey taste sensation from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue and parasympathetic innervation to the submandibular and sublingual salivary glands, the chorda tympani probably has additional sensory and secretomotor functions. A detailed understanding of the anatomy of the chorda tympani may help to reduce the risk of iatrogenic injury during head, neck and middle-ear surgery, and to explain the variable consequences of such injury.
ISSN:0022-2151
1748-5460
DOI:10.1017/S0022215111001873