RATIO OF THE DIAMETER OF THE FACIAL NERVE TO THE DIAMETER OF THE SAME CANAL AT THE LEVEL OF THE STYLOMASTOID FORAMEN

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to study the ratio of the diameter of the facial nerve stump to the diameter of the last part of the facial canal - the stylomastoid foramen. 38 facial nerves were studied. Measurements of the diameter of the stylomastoid foramen, the terminal part of the facial canal, were also performed in sagittal and coronal projections using RadiAnt DICOM Viewer software adapted for computer use. The results of the study showed that at the level of the stylomastoid foramen, the number of small and medium myelinated fibers decreases, and the number of large myelinated fibers increases, which is associated with the inclusion of small and medium myelinated fibers in the branches extending from the intracranial part of the facial nerve. Minimum and maximum values of the ratio of the diameter of the stump of the facial nerve to the diameter of the stylomastoid foramen.were 56.7% (right side) and 61.7% (left side), 80.8% (right side) and 84.1% ( left side), so the average indicators of this ratio are 70.7% on average for the right side and 74.7% for the left side. We assume that there is as much a relationship between the degree of Bell's palsy and the cross cross-sectional diameter of the facial canal as possible. The study of this relationship can be considered important in the diagnosis of a number of facial nerve pathologies and the choice of treatment tactics.