Chabot AB, Alimi Y, Iwanaga J, Kikuta S, Loukas M, Dumont AS, Tubbs RS
Abstract
The chorda tympani (CT) is important in gustatory sensation from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue and in secretomotor innervation to the submandibular and sublingual glands. Although the blood supply to the CT is not well delineated in the literature, some studies have shown that a posterior tympanic branch of the stylomastoid artery supplies CT at its origin from the mastoid segment of the facial nerve. We review the blood supply to the CT comprehensively. A better understanding of the vasculature involved is required to prevent iatrogenic injury during middle ear surgery and complications secondary to ischemia. (C) 2020 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.
