The extratemporal facial nerve and its branches: analysis of 42 hemifacial dissections in fresh Persian (Iranian) cadavers.

Background: The facial nerve controls facial muscles and expressions. Variability in branching patterns of the nerve creates variability in facial animation, which is evident in facial plastic surgery both between patients and ethnic groups and between sides of the face. Identifying relationships between the main trunk of the facial nerve and its network of branches to soft tissues/bony fixed points contributes to safer aesthetic and reconstructive techniques.