Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
BRATISLAVA MEDICAL JOURNAL, cilt.126, sa.10, ss.2514-2521, 2025 (SCI-Expanded)
BackgroundNeuropathy and neuralgia of the great auricular nerve are rare but possible. In recent years, this nerve has been used for grafting in plastic surgery. To ensure the safety of such clinical applications, it is essential to have a thorough understanding of the nerve's anatomy, its relations with surrounding structures, and its course. The aim of this study is to describe the level at which the nerve becomes superficial on the sternocleidomastoid muscle (also known as the punctum nervosum) and its bifurcation point, using the same landmarks to identify the segment accessible as a single unit.Materials and methodsIn this study, 15 cadavers (30 sides) were used. The study identified bony landmarks as the mastoid process and the angle of the mandible, with measurements made relative to these points.ResultsThe average diameter of the nerve was found to be 1.79 +/- 0.14 (1.50-1.99) mm. The length of the nerve from its exit point to its bifurcation was measured to be an average of 76.56 +/- 7.11 (65.55-88.41) mm. The distance between the mastoid process and the point where the nerve emerges at the punctum nervosum was measured to be an average of 73.89 +/- 5.26 (60.73-83.15) mm, while the distance to the bifurcation was measured to be average of 29.65 +/- 5.00 (20.72-37.92) mm.ConclusionsThe measurements obtained in this study can be used to identify the exit and bifurcation points of the great auricular nerve at the punctum nervosum, relative to the angle of the mandible and the mastoid process. Utilizing these landmarks in nerve-related interventions can minimize complications and increase success rates.