Abstract: Objective To investigate the conformation,course,and branches of the rat's facial nerve so as to provide the basic data for the experimental researches.Methods The facial nerve and its branches were exposed by dissecting and the length and outside diameter of the various branches were measured,and their conformations were observed by microscopy after modified trichrome staining.Results The facial nerve trunk of rat came out of stylomastoid foramen,and then went forward along the masseteric surface and was divided into temporal branch,zygomatic branch,buccal branch,marginal mandibular branch,and cervical branch.These branches ended to the corresponding facial muscles.The length of temporal branch,zygomatic branch,buccal branch,marginal mandibular branch,and cervical branch was 10.59 mm±0.34 mm,15.48 mm±1.86 mm,26.18 mm±1.37 mm,26.31 mm±1.32 mm,and 17.54 mm±0.75 mm respectively,and their outside diameter of the middle point was 0.56 mm±0.12 mm,0.70 mm±0.08 mm,1.01 mm±0.28 mm,0.91 mm±0.20 mm,and 0.64 mm±0.15mm respectively.In light microscope,they were characterized by green and intact endoneurium,two or three bundles,regular order of nerve fibers,small axons located in the center of the fibers,red Schwann's sheath,and hyacinthine Schwann's nucleus.Conclusion The buccal branch and marginal mandibular branch of the rat's facial nerve are suitable for the experiment developing the model of nerve injury and regeneration.

Key words: Rat, Facial nerve, Buccal branch, Marginal mandibular branch

摘要： 目的研究大鼠面神经的组成、走行、分支,为实验研究提供依据。方法显露面神经及各分支,测量各分支长度及外径,改良特殊三色法染色观察光镜结构。结果大鼠面神经出茎乳孔后前行,贴咬肌的表面分为颞支、颧支、颊支、下颌缘支和颈支至面部表情肌。面神经分支的长度和和中点外径依次为颞支(10.59 mm±0.34 mm,0.56±0.12 mm),颧支(15.48 mm±1.86 mm,0.70 mm±0.08 mm),颊支(26.18 mm±1.37 mm,1.01 mm±0.28 mm),下颌缘支(26.31 mm±1.32 mm,0.91 mm±0.20 mm),颈支(17.54 mm±0.75 mm,0.64 mm±0.15 mm)。特殊三色法染色光镜下可见神经内膜呈绿色,完整;神经束较少,多为2~3束。大量神经纤维整齐排列,轴突位于中央,较小,呈蓝绿色,髓鞘呈枣红色,红细胞呈鲜红色,细胞核呈紫蓝色。结论应选择大鼠面神经颊支和下颌缘支进行缺损修复模型的制备。

关键词: 大鼠, 面神经, 模型, 颊支, 下颌缘支