Superficial Face - Erler Zimmer

Superficial Face - Erler Zimmer

This 3D model showcases a surface-level dissection of the left facial area in front of the ear, with color coding emphasizing various neurovascular structures and the superficial muscles responsible for facial expression. This complements the more extensive superficial dissection of the facial and lateral head regions featured in our HW 45 model. The areas of the model that haven't been dissected have been digitally removed for clarity.
Starting just in front of the ear, the dissected area reveals the parotid gland and its duct extending toward the oral cavity. Emerging from the edges of the parotid gland are the terminal branches of the facial nerve (CN VII), which include the cervical, mandibular, buccal, zygomatic, and temporal branches. The cervical and mandibular branches at the lower part of the dissection window can be observed angling downward and passing superficially in relation to the facial vein, which ascends toward the medial canthus of the eye. The mandibular branch passes just beneath the facial artery, running parallel to it. Following the course of these vessels from the mandible toward the nasal and orbital regions also highlights various superficial and deep muscles, such as the masseter, parotid, depressor anguli oris, depressor labii inferioris, zygomaticus major and minor, orbicularis oris, nasalis, levator labii superioris alaeque, procerus, and orbicularis oculi.
Along the upper margin of the parotid gland, the base of the auriculotemporal nerve and the superficial temporal artery ascend in front of the ear and rest on a partially dissected temporal fascia, revealing a portion of the temporalis muscle. As we move anteriorly over the orbit, the supraorbital nerve and supraorbital and supratrochlear arteries are highlighted, ascending on the epicranial aponeurosis. Within this layer, the deeper frontalis muscle can be discerned as a darker region.