Morphological Variations of Marginal Mandibular Nerve and Its Relation to Facial Artery: A Cadaveric Study
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Background: The Marginal mandibular nerve is a terminal branch of Facial nerve. The nerve runs close to the inferior margin of the mandible, superficial to the facial vessels and supplies the muscles of the lower lip. The proper knowledge on variations along the course of the nerve and its relations to facial vessels play a significant role in determining the success of any surgical intervention in that region. Materials and methods: This study is a cross-sectional study conducted in the department of anatomy of a private medical college in Tamil Nadu, India. Fifty facial halves from embalmed cadavers are utilised for this study. Descriptive statistics is used to analyse the data obtained from the study Results: In all the 50 specimens, marginal mandibular nerve emerged from the cervicofacial ramus of facial nerve. 26% specimens showed single branch of the nerve, in 56% specimens, two branches were observed, and in 18% specimens, three branches of marginal mandibular nerve were observed. 76% the nerve coursed inferior to mandible. The average distance of the nerve from the inferior margin of the mandible was 1.4 cm. In 96% of the specimens, the nerve coursed lateral to the facial vessels. In 4% of the specimen, the branches of the nerve were found both lateral and medial to the facial artery. Communication of the nerve with buccal branch was observed in 16% of specimens. Conclusion: As the marginal mandibular nerve shows lot of variations, a proper anatomical knowledge on the same helps the patients to have a good treatment preventing any iatrogenic complications. KEY WORDS: Marginal mandibular nerve, Facial artery, inferior margin of the mandible, Facial nerve.
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Neurology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7133806478