Abstract:Objective: To reveal the whole branches and distribution pattern of facial and anterior cervical cutaneous nerves visible to the naked eye via improved Sihler’s staining. Methods: Chinese formalin-fixed cadavers, including 12 adults and 6 children, were used. Skin specimens containing subcutaneous fat were taken from the facial and anterior cervical regions and were stained with modified Sihler’s staining. Results: It was found that the facial skin was not only innervated by trigeminal nerve, but also by branches of facial nerve. The anterior cervical skin was innervated by branches of nerve from muscles besides the anterior cervical cutaneous nerve. After Sihler’s staining of the facial and anterior cervical specimens, the overall distribution pattern of cutaneous nerve branches, which was not able to be shown by gross anatomy, was visible to the naked eye. The passage of each cutaneous nerve, arborized branches and distribution range were clearly visible. In frontotemporal junction area, infraorbital area and mental area, close link between facial nerve branches and trigeminal nerve was obvious. At the midline, there existed links between left and right nerve branches. The distribution range of transverse cervical nerve and supraclavicular nerve was relatively large, and both of them were linked. The transverse cervical nerve was able to innervate the lower lip area. Conclusion: These results can provide morphological guidance for maxillofacial surgery, plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery to avoid cutaneous nerve injury, for material selection and matching of sensory reconstruction, and local anesthesia blocking.
