A Cadaveric Study of the Communication Patterns Between the Buccal Trunks of the Facial Nerve and the Infraorbital Nerve in the Midface.

Most nerve communications reported in the literature were found between the terminal branches. This study aimed to clarify and classify patterns of proximal communications between the buccal branches (BN) of the facial nerve and the infraorbital nerve (ION).The superficial musculoaponeurotic system protects any communication sites from conventional dissections. Based on this limitation, the soft tissues of each face were peeled off the facial skull and the facial turn-down flap specimens were dissected from the periosteal view. Dissection was performed in 40 hemifaces to classify the communications in the sublevator space. Communication site was measured from the ala of nose.A double communication was the most common type found in 62.5% of hemifaces. Triple and single communications existed in 25% and 10% of 40 hemiface specimens, respectively. One hemiface had no communication. The most common type of communication occurred between the lower trunk of the BN of the facial nerve and the lateral labial (fourth) branch of the ION (70% in 40 hemifaces). Communication site was deep to the levator labii superioris muscle at 16.2 mm from the nasal ala. Communications between the motor and the sensory nerves in the midface may be important to increase nerve endurance and to compensate functional loss from injury.Proximal communications between the main trunks of the facial nerve and the ION in the midface exist in every face. This implies some specific functions in normal individuals. Awareness of these nerves is essential in surgical procedure in the midface.

New insights into the pelvic organ support framework.

OBJECTIVE: It is important to understand the underlying mechanisms of the physiological framework of the pelvic organ support system to develop more effective interventions. Developing more successful interventions for restoration of defects of the pelvic floor will lead to symptomatic improvement of pelvic floor prolapse and stress incontinence disorders. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the physiological framework related to the pelvic organ support system and propose the underlying mechanisms of pelvic organ support based on the anatomical findings. STUDY DESIGN: Ten female soft embalmed cadavers were dissected after a colorectal hands-on workshop to visualize components of the pelvic organ support system. RESULTS: The puborectalis attached at the superior pubic ramus above the arcus tendineus fasciae pelvis. The anterior half of the iliococcygeus originated at the level of the arcus tendineus fasciae pelvis but descended from the arcus tendineus fasciae pelvis before it reached the ischial spine. The fibrous visceral sheath of the endopelvic fascia covered both the bladder and the upper vagina and bound these structures together. The levator ani muscle was separated into a horizontal and a vertical part at the medial attachment of the fibrous visceral sheath. A well-circumscribed adipose cushion pillow, in the ischioanal fossa and its anterior recess, supported the horizontal part of the levator ani muscle and pressed the vertical part against the pelvic viscera. Perivascular sheaths and pelvic nerve plexuses were reinforced by condensed endopelvic fascia, they suspended the pelvic organs posterolaterally. CONCLUSION: The pelvic organ support framework consists of two mechanical structures: (1) the supporting system of the levator ani muscle, the arcus tendineus fasciae pelvis and the adipose cushion pillow, and (2) the suspension system of the neurovascular structures and the associated endopelvic fascia condensation.