The most common site of facial nerve injury is the stylomastoid foramen, the point where the nerve exits the skull. Several sources corroborate this finding. However, the specific location of injury can vary depending on the cause.
Specific Locations and Causes of Facial Nerve Injury
While the stylomastoid foramen is frequently cited as the most common site, the location can depend heavily on the underlying cause of the injury. Consider these examples:
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Stylomastoid Foramen: This is the most frequently mentioned site in literature, referring to the area where the facial nerve exits the skull. This is often seen in traumatic injuries. [Reference: Multiple sources explicitly state this as the most common site.]
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Tympanic Segment: Studies on iatrogenic (doctor-caused) injuries during otologic (ear) surgery indicate that the tympanic segment is a common area of injury. [Reference: "The most common area of injury to the facial nerve in this series was in the tympanic segment." ]
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Extra-temporal Part: A meta-analysis highlights the extra-temporal part of the facial nerve (the portion outside the temporal bone) as another common site of injury. [Reference: "The extra-temporal part is the most common site injury; it was injured in 199 cases (27%), while the..."]
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Variable Locations in Fractures: In cases of temporal bone fractures, the injury site can vary widely, from the internal auditory canal to the horizontal portion of the facial nerve. [Reference: "Facial nerve injury occurs in 50% of transverse fractures. The injury site is anywhere from the internal auditory canal to the horizontal..."]
Note: The provided references highlight different common injury sites, emphasizing that the most frequent location depends on the context (traumatic injury, surgical intervention, fracture, etc.).
