View source for Temporal branches of the facial nerve

{{Infobox nerve
| Name        = Temporal branches of the facial nerve
| Latin       = rami temporales nervi facialis
| Image       = Gray788.png
| Caption     = Plan of the [[facial nerve|facial]] and [[intermediate nerve]]s and their communication with other nerves (labeled at center bottom, sixth from bottom, as "Temporal")
| Image2      = Gray790.png
| Caption2    = The nerves of the scalp, face, and side of neck (temporal labeled at center, between eye and ear.)
| Innervates  =
| BranchFrom  = [[Facial nerve]]
| BranchTo    =
}}
The '''temporal branches of the facial nerve''' ('''frontal branch of the facial nerve''') crosses the [[zygomatic arch]] to the temporal region, supplying the [[auriculares anterior]] and superior, and joining with the [[zygomaticotemporal branch]] of the [[maxillary nerve]], and with the [[auriculotemporal branch]] of the [[mandibular nerve]].
The more anterior branches supply the [[frontalis muscle|frontalis]], the [[orbicularis oculi]], and [[corrugator supercilii]], and join the [[Supraorbital nerve|supraorbital]] and [[Lacrimal nerve|lacrimal branches]] of the [[Ophthalmic nerve|ophthalmic]]. The temporal branch acts as the efferent limb of the [[corneal reflex]].
==Anatomic location==
The temporal branch of the [[facial nerve]] is typically found between the [[temporoparietal fascia]] (i.e., superficial temporal fascia) and [[temporal fascia]] (i.e., deep temporal fascia). This layer is also known as the innominate fascia.
There are several methods using anatomic landmarks that may be used to find the temporal branch of the [[facial nerve]]. One method is using Pitanguy's line, which is defined as running from 0.5&nbsp;cm below the [[Tragus (ear)|tragus]] to 1.5&nbsp;cm above the lateral eyebrow.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Green Sanderson |first1=Kit |last2=Conti |first2=Alyssa |last3=Colussi |first3=Mariah |last4=Connolly |first4=Cara |date=2020-04-14 |title=A Simple Clinical Application for Locating the Frontotemporal Branch of the Facial Nerve Using the Zygomatic Arch and the Tragus |journal=Aesthetic Surgery Journal |volume=40 |issue=5 |pages=NP223–NP227 |doi=10.1093/asj/sjz186 |issn=1527-330X |pmid=31254463|doi-access=free }}</ref> Another method is to recognize that the temporal branch runs between the lines from the earlobe to the hairline and from the earlobe to the lateral eyebrow.
==Testing the temporal branches of the facial nerve==
To test the function of the temporal branches of the facial nerve, a patient is asked to frown and wrinkle their forehead.
==Additional images==
<gallery>
File:Lateral head anatomy detail.jpg|Lateral head anatomy detail
File:Slide1BAB.JPG|Lateral head anatomy detail.Dissection the newborn
File:Slide1CAC.JPG|Lateral head anatomy detail.Facial nerve dissection.
</gallery>
==External links==
* {{SUNYAnatomyLabs|23|06|01|06}} - "Branches of Facial Nerve (CN VII)"
* {{NormanAnatomy|lesson4}} ({{NormanAnatomyFig|parotid3}})
* {{NormanAnatomy|cranialnerves}} ({{NormanAnatomyFig|VII}})
* http://www.dartmouth.edu/~humananatomy/figures/chapter_47/47-5.HTM
==References==
{{Gray's}}
{{Cranial nerves}}
{{Portal bar|Anatomy}}
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<references />
[[Category:Facial nerve]]
[[Category:Otorhinolaryngology]]
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