Endoscopic anatomy of infraorbital/maxillary nerves in endoscopic transmaxillary approach / 中国神经精神疾病杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the localization and guidance value of infraorbital/maxillary nerve in endoscopic transmaxillary approach, and to provide anatomical data for clinical operation. Methods The eight adult cadaver heads were dissected by means of the endoscopic transmaxillary approach to expose the infraorbital/maxillary nerve, and relevant data were collected. Results In 8 cases, 16 maxillary nerves arose from the trigeminal ganglion of the trigeminal nerve and emerged from the foramen rotundum, transited to the infraorbital nerve at the infraorbital fissure, then traveled in the infraorbital canal and out of the infraorbital foramen. The infraorbital/maxillary nerve could be divided into four segments according to the foramen rotundum, infraorbital groove and infraorbital foramen the terminal segment, the infraorbital nerve and its terminal branches to the face, distal to the infraorbital foramen; the orbitomaxillary segment and the orbitomaxillary segment of the infraorbital nerve within the infraorbital canal from the infraorbital foramen along the infraorbital groove (length 11.7 ±2.5 mm ), which was readily identified in the roof of the maxillary sinus in all specimens. The pterygopalatine segment, the pterygopalatine segment within the pterygopalatine fossa, which started at the infraorbital groove to the foramen rotundum (length 13.4±2.1 mm); The intracranial segment, the intracranial segment from the foramen rotundum to the trigeminal ganglion(length 15.2±3.9 mm). Conclusion The infraorbital nerve can serve as a anatomical landmark for endoscopic transmaxillary approach to get access to infratemporal fossa, pterygopalatine fossa, trigeminal ganglion and lateral wall of the cavernous sinus.