RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to identify the facial areas defined by thermal gradient, in individuals compatible with the pattern of normality, and to quantify and describe them anatomically. METHODS: The sample consisted of 161 volunteers, of both genders, aged between 26 and 84 years (63 ± 15 years). RESULTS: The results demonstrated that the thermal gradient areas suggested for the study were present in at least 95% of the thermograms evaluated and that there is significant difference in temperature between the genders, racial group and variables "odontalgia", "dental prothesis" and "history of migraine" (p < 0.05). Moreover, there was no statistically significant difference in the absolute temperatures between ages, and right and left sides of the face, in individuals compatible with the pattern of normality (ΔT = 0.11°C). CONCLUSIONS: The authors concluded that according to the suggested areas of thermal gradients, these were present in at least 95% of all the thermograms evaluated, and the areas of high intensity found in the face were medial palpebral commissure, labial commissure, temporal, supratrochlear and external acoustic meatus, whereas the points of low intensity were inferior labial, lateral palpebral commissure and nasolabial.
Assuntos
Face/anatomia & histologia , Temperatura Cutânea/fisiologia , Termografia/métodos , Adulto , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Prótese Dentária , Meato Acústico Externo/irrigação sanguínea , Meato Acústico Externo/inervação , Pálpebras/irrigação sanguínea , Pálpebras/inervação , Face/irrigação sanguínea , Face/inervação , Feminino , Humanos , Raios Infravermelhos , Lábio/irrigação sanguínea , Lábio/inervação , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Transtornos de Enxaqueca/fisiopatologia , Nariz/irrigação sanguínea , Nariz/inervação , Fatores Sexuais , Artérias Temporais/anatomia & histologia , Odontalgia/fisiopatologia , Sistema Vasomotor/anatomia & histologia , Veias/anatomia & histologiaRESUMO
The anatomy of the facial nerve relative to its intratemporal and extratemporal courses varies over time with developmental changes. Otologic and parotid surgery in infants and children demands detailed knowledge of the precise anatomy of the facial nerve with respect to the tympanic ring and external auditory canal. The authors analyzed this area using our three-dimensional (3-D) computer-aided reconstruction and measurement method studying the spatial relations of the facial nerve to the tympanic ring and stylomastoid foramen. Temporal bones from five normal individuals aged 36 gestational weeks, 3 months, 8 months, 4 years, and 17 years were retrieved from the temporal bone collection stored at the Elizabeth McCullough Knowles Otopathology Laboratory in Pittsburgh. Three-dimensional reconstruction of the facial nerve comparing the developmental anatomy across the various age groups provides the surgeon with the technical information necessary to address problems in this area.