Marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve

The marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve arises from the facial nerve (CN VII) in the parotid gland at the parotid plexus. It passes anterior-ward deep to the platysma and depressor anguli oris muscles. It provides motor innervation to muscles of the lower lip and chin: the depressor labii inferioris muscle, depressor anguli oris muscle, and mentalis muscle.[1] It communicates with the mental branch of the inferior alveolar nerve.

Marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve
Plan of the facial and intermediate nerves and their communication with other nerves. (Labeled at center bottom, second from bottom, as "Mandibular".)
The nerves of the scalp, face, and side of neck.
Details
Fromfacial nerve
Identifiers
Latinramus marginalis mandibularis nervi facialis
TA98A14.2.01.113
TA26305
FMA53365
Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy

Clinical significance

Iatrogenic damage

The marginal mandibular nerve may be injured during surgery in the neck region, especially during excision of the submandibular salivary gland or during neck dissections due to lack of accurate knowledge of variations in the course, branches and relations. An injury to this nerve during a surgical procedure can distort the expression of the smile as well as other facial expressions. The marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve is found superficial to the facial artery and (anterior) facial vein. Thus the facial artery can be used as an important landmark in locating the marginal mandibular nerve during surgical procedures.[2] Damage can cause paralysis of the three muscles it supplies, which can cause an asymmetrical smile due to lack of contraction of the depressor labii inferioris muscle.[3] This may be corrected with resection of the muscle, which tends to be successful.[3]

Additional images
  • Lateral head anatomy detail
    Lateral head anatomy detail
  • Lateral head anatomy detail. Neonatal dissection.
    Lateral head anatomy detail. Neonatal dissection.

References

Public domain This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 905 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)

  1. Drake, Richard (2010). Gray's Anatomy of students. Philadelphia: Churchill Livingstone elseveier. pp. 855–866. ISBN 978-0-443-06952-9.
  2. Batra APS, Mahajan A, Gupta K. Marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve: An anatomical study. Indian Journal of Plastic Surgery : Official Publication of the Association of Plastic Surgeons of India. 2010;43(1):60-64. doi:10.4103/0970-0358.63968.
  3. Hussain, G; Manktelow, R.T; Tomat, L.R (September 2004). "Depressor labii inferioris resection: an effective treatment for marginal mandibular nerve paralysis". British Journal of Plastic Surgery. 57 (6): 502–510. doi:10.1016/j.bjps.2004.04.003. ISSN 0007-1226. PMID 15308395.


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