ABSTRACT
In an autopsy study in two men and an experimental study performed on three female beagles the mercury burden of nerve tissues was determined. Nerve tissues from the head and face region and from three peripheral nerves were analyzed for mercury content with the aid of atomic absorption spectroscopy. In the dogs dental amalgam restorations were placed so as to investigate the possible influence from the amalgam on the mercury content of the tissues under study. The mercury content in man and dogs differed widely from one nerve to another, with no apparent relation to the number, type, or location of tooth restorations.
Subject(s)
Cranial Nerves/analysis , Dental Amalgam , Dental Restoration, Permanent , Mercury/analysis , Aged , Animals , Dogs , Female , Humans , Male , Mandibular Nerve/analysis , Radial Nerve/analysis , Time Factors , Trigeminal Nerve/analysisABSTRACT
In operative dissections of mandibular branches of the facial nerve, we identified certain branches below the inferior border of the mandible in all cases. These usually supplied the depressor labii inferioris and mentalis muscles, though infrequently the branch to the depressor anguli oris was also below the mandible. At least 3 nerve branches were identified in all dissections. The clinical applications of this include the necessity to identify and protect these nerve branches during operations in the submandibular triangle, as well as when incising the platysma muscle or removing fat from over the body of the mandible in a face-lift procedure.
Subject(s)
Facial Nerve/anatomy & histology , Mandibular Nerve/analysis , HumansABSTRACT
Observed in this study were morphologic changes in inflamed nerves, along with biochemical changes, which appear to act concurrently to deactivate or prevent activation of the local anesthetic solution. Morphologic changes were observed along the nerve fiber distant from the inflammatory site. These neuro-degenerative changes were seen at the axon and myelin sheaths level. The biochemical data support the presence in the inflamed nerve of amino acids which may be the product of lysosomal rupture and proteolytic enzyme release. These inflammatory mediators may affect either the local anesthetic or the environment of the nerve fiber. The precise mechanism of action of these catalytic products cannot be determined from this study.
