Communication between the buccal nerve (V) and facial nerve (VII) in the human face

Terminal arrangements of communicating branches between the buccal nerve (V) and the facial nerve (VII) have yet to be precisely determined. To clarify distributions and relationships to facial muscles, detailed morphological examination of the two nerves was performed in the buccal region. The facial skin and underlying tissues of three cadavers were removed en bloc from the surface of the skulls and dissected from outside and inside. Arrangements of the facial muscles, nerves, and associated structures were observed. In all specimens, the communicating buccal nerve (CBN) was detected, largely covering the buccal region. The CBN gave off multidirectional twigs around the facial vein, some of which reached the anterior part of the zygomaticus major muscle. Several twigs of the CBN joined proximally with the zygomatic and buccal branches of the facial nerve. Ramified junctions that interconnected the lower zygomatic and upper buccal branches of the facial nerve were observed near sites where the CBN joined. Anterior twigs of the CBN supplied the longitudinal area lateral to the mouth, where many muscles converged. This study presents a precise morphological pattern of the CBN, suggesting functional contribution of the CBN to control of orofacial movements.