Dissection of head and neck from a posterior approach

Relation of left facial nerve to parotid gland

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Image #83-1

Dissection of head and neck from a posterior approach

Relation of left facial nerve to parotid gland

The sternocleidomastoid muscle (3) has been cut off close to its insertion and its tendon reflected laterally from the mastoid process (4) of the temporal bone. The posterior facial vein (7) has been cut off and the parotid gland dissected to expose the facial nerve as it passes between the deep (9) and superficial (10) lobes of the gland.

1. Stylomastoid foramen (opened)
2. Mastoid incisure
3. Sternocleidomastoid muscle (tendon of insertion stripped from mastoid process)
4. Mastoid process
5. Facial nerve (VII)
6. Superior (temporofacial) division of facial nerve (VII)
7. Posterior facial vein
8. Inferior (cervicofacial) division of facial nerve (VII)
9. Parotid gland (deep lobe)
10. Parotid gland (superficial lobe)
11. External carotid artery
12. Stylohyoid ligament
13. Stylohyoid muscle (cut across)
14. Upper pointer: Hypoglossal nerve (XII) (cut across) Lower pointer: External maxillary artery
15. Superficial fascia (external layer)
16. Submandibular gland
17. Mandibular nerve
18. External pterygoid muscle
19. Styloid process temporal bone
20. Salpingopharyngeus muscle
21. Upper pointer: Ascending palatine artery Lower pointer: Stylomandibular ligament
22. Superior pharyngeal constrictor muscle (pointer near origins of muscle from pterygomandibular raphe)
23. Styloglossus muscle
24. Glossopharyngeal nerve (IX)
25. Stylopharyngeus muscle (cut across)