Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-fscjk Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-27T23:26:35.834Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Clinical anatomy of the chorda tympani: a systematic review

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 August 2011

L J McManus ,
P J D Dawes  and
M D Stringer
L J McManus
Affiliation:
Department of Anatomy, Otago School of Medical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
P J D Dawes
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgical Sciences, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
M D Stringer*
Affiliation:
Department of Anatomy, Otago School of Medical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
*
Address for correspondence: Prof. M D Stringer, Department of Anatomy, Otago School of Medical Sciences, University of Otago, PO Box 913, Dunedin, New Zealand Fax: +64 3 479 7254 E-mail: mark.stringer@anatomy.otago.ac.nz
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Objective:

The chorda tympani is at risk of iatrogenic injury throughout its course. This paper reviews the clinical anatomy of the nerve in adults.

Design:

Systematic literature review.

Method:

Relevant English-language articles were identified using five electronic databases and one search engine. Data from approximately 70 scientific papers were supplemented with information from selected reference texts.

Results:

The anatomy of the chorda tympani differs from standard descriptions, particularly regarding its exit from the middle ear and area of lingual innervation. Whilst it is known to convey taste sensation from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue and parasympathetic innervation to the submandibular and sublingual salivary glands, the chorda tympani probably has additional sensory and secretomotor functions.

Conclusion:

A detailed understanding of the anatomy of the chorda tympani may help to reduce the risk of iatrogenic injury during head, neck and middle-ear surgery, and to explain the variable consequences of such injury.

Keywords

AnatomyEar, MiddleChorda Tympani NerveOtologic Surgical Procedures
Type
Review Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 125 , Issue 11 , November 2011 , pp. 1101 - 1108
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2011

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1Standring, S, ed. Gray's Anatomy: the Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice, 40th edn.Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 2008Google Scholar
2Onoda, K, Kobayakawa, T, Ikeda, M, Saito, S, Kida, A. Laterality of human primary gustatory cortex studied by MEG. Chem Senses 2005;30:657–66Google Scholar
3Jeppsson, PH. Studies on the innervation of taste buds. Acta Otolaryngol 1967(suppl 224):140–8Google Scholar
4Lee, BC, Hwang, SH, Rison, R, Chang, GY. Central pathway of taste: clinical and MRI study. Eur Neurol 1998;39:200–3Google Scholar
5Shikama, Y, Kato, T, Nagaoka, U, Hosoya, T, Katagiri, T, Yamaguchi, K et al. Localization of the gustatory pathway in the human midbrain. Neurosci Lett 1996;218:198–200Google Scholar
6Malone, B, Maisel, RH. Chapter 2: Anatomy of the facial nerve. Am J Otol 1988;9:494–512Google Scholar
7Monkhouse, WS. The anatomy of the facial nerve. Ear Nose Throat J 1990;69:677–87Google Scholar
8McMinn, RMH, ed. Last's Anatomy: Regional and Applied. New York: Churchill Livingstone, 1994Google Scholar
9Rhoton, A, Kobayashi, S, Hollinshead, WH. Nervus intermedius. J Neurosurg 1968;29:609–18Google Scholar
10Kerr, AG, ed. Scott-Brown's Otolaryngology, 6th edn.London: Butterworths, 1997Google Scholar
11Weiglein, AH. Postnatal development of the facial canal. An investigation based on cadaver dissections and computed tomography. Surg Radiol Anat 1996;18:115–23Google Scholar
12Kullman, GL, Dyck, PJ, Cody, DT. Anatomy of the mastoid portion of the facial nerve. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1971;93:29–33Google Scholar
13Ylikoski, J, Gamoletti, R, Galey, F. Chorda tympani nerve fibers in man. Acta Otolaryngol 1983;95:291–6Google Scholar
14Durcan, DJ, Shea, JJ, Sleeckx, JP. Bifurcation of the facial nerve. Arch Otolaryngol 1967;86:619–31Google Scholar
15Jahrsdoerfer, RA. The facial nerve in congenital middle ear malformations. Laryngoscope 1981;91:1217–25Google Scholar
16Martin-Duverneuil, N, Lafitte, F, Chiras, J. Cross-sectional anatomy of the facial nerve. JBR-BTR: Organe de la Societe Royale Belge de Radiologie 1999;82:301–5Google Scholar
17Anson, BJ, Donaldson, JA, Shilling, BB. Surgical anatomy of the chorda tympani. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 1972;81:616–31Google Scholar
18Kulczynski, B, Wozniak, W. Variation of the origin and course of the chorda tympani. Folia Morphol 1978;37:237–41Google Scholar
19Noble, JH, Warren, FM, Labadie, RF, Dawant, BM. Automatic segmentation of the facial nerve and chorda tympani in CT images using spatially dependent feature values. Med Phys 2008;35:5375–84Google Scholar
20Muren, C, Wadin, K, Wilbrand, HF. Anatomic variations of the chorda tympani canal. Acta Otolaryngol 1990;110:262–5Google Scholar
21Donaldson, JA, Anson, BJ. Surgical anatomy of the facial nerve. Otolaryngol Clin North Am 1974;7:289–308Google Scholar
22Yasumura, S, Takahashi, H, Sando, I, Aoki, H, Hirsch, BE. Facial nerve near the external auditory meatus in man: computer reconstruction study – preliminary report. Laryngoscope 1993;103:1043–7Google Scholar
23Fujita, S, Nakashima, S, Sando, I, Takahashi, H. Postnatal developmental changes in facial nerve morphology. Computer-aided 3-D reconstruction and measurement. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 1994;251:434–8Google Scholar
24Low, WK. Surgical anatomy of the facial nerve in Chinese mastoids. ORL J Otorhinolaryngol Relat Spec 1999;61:341–4Google Scholar
25Fowler, EP, Edmund, P. Variations in the temporal bone course of the facial nerve. Laryngoscope 1961;71:937–46Google Scholar
26Nager, GT, Proctor, B. Anatomic variations and anomalies involving the facial canal. Otolaryngol Clin North Am 1991;24:531–53Google Scholar
27Palva, T, Northrop, C, Ramsay, H. Aeration and drainage pathways of Prussak's space. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2001;57:55–65Google Scholar
28Bosman, DH. The distribution of the chorda tympani in the middle ear area in man and two other primates. J Anat 1978;127:443–5Google Scholar
29De Lara Galindo, S, Segura, M, Avella, G, Alaminos, IL, Rosas, JL. Semimacroscopic studies of the chorda tympani. Acta Anat 1972;83:372–81Google Scholar
30Kraus, P, Ziv, M. Incus fixation due to congenital anomaly of chorda tympani. Acta Otolaryngol 1971;72:358–60Google Scholar
31Ozmen, OA, Sarac, S, Sennaroglu, L, Turan, E. Bony sheathed chorda tympani: a unique case of incudomalleolar fixation. Otol Neurotol 2007;28:345–7Google Scholar
32Gerhardt, HJ. One hundred and seventy-five surgically treated malformations of the external and middle ear: findings and results. Auris Nasus Larynx 1988;15:81–7Google Scholar
33Toth, M, Moser, G, Patonay, L, Olah, I. Development of the anterior chordal canal. Ann Anat 2006;188:7–11Google Scholar
34Gray, O. The chorda tympani. J Laryngol Otol 1953;67:128–38Google Scholar
35Anagnostopoulou, S, Venieratos, D, Antonopoulou, M. Temporomandibular joint and correlated fissures: anatomical and clinical consideration. Cranio 2008;26:88–95Google Scholar
36Kim, HJ, Jung, HS, Kwak, HH, Shim, KS, Hu, KS, Park, HD et al. The discomallear ligament and the anterior ligament of malleus: an anatomic study in human adults and fetuses. Surg Radiol Anat 2004;26:39–45Google Scholar
37Sencimen, M, Yalcin, B, Dogan, N, Varol, A, Okcu, KM, Ozan, H et al. Anatomical and functional aspects of ligaments between the malleus and the temporomandibular joint. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2008;37:943–7Google Scholar
38Siessere, S, Vitti, M, Semprini, M, Regalo, SC, Iyomasa, MM, Dias, FJ et al. Macroscopic and microscopic aspects of the temporomandibular joint related to its clinical implication. Micron 2008;39:852–8Google Scholar
39Erdogmus, S, Govsa, F, Celik, S. Anatomic position of the lingual nerve in the mandibular third molar region as potential risk factors for nerve palsy. J Craniofac Surg 2008;19:264–70Google Scholar
40Du Toit, DF. Nervus lingualis: applied anatomical relevance to dental practice and oral surgery. SADJ 2003;58:207–12Google Scholar
41Pogrel, MA, Renaut, A, Schmidt, B, Ammar, A, Kiesselbach, JE. The relationship of the lingual nerve to the mandibular third molar region: an anatomic study. J Oral Maxillofac Surg 1995;53:1178–81Google Scholar
42Girod, SC, Neukam, FW, Girod, B, Reumann, K, Semrau, H. The fascicular structure of the lingual nerve and the chorda tympani: an anatomic study. J Oral Maxillofac Surg 1989;47:607–9Google Scholar
43Blatt, IM, Bunto, WG. The structure of nerve elements in the major salivary glands of the human. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 1960;69:375–86Google Scholar
44Parlier-Cuau, C, Champsaur, P, Perrin, E, Rabischong, P, Lassau, JP. High-resolution computed tomography of the canals of the temporal bone: anatomic correlations. Surg Radiol Anat 1998;20:437–44Google Scholar
45Noble, JH, Dawant, BM, Warren, FM, Labadie, RF. Automatic identification and 3D rendering of temporal bone anatomy. Otol Neurotol 2009;30:436–42Google Scholar
46Altman, F. Problem of so-called congenital atresia of the ear. Arch Otolaryngol 1949;50:759–88Google Scholar
47Saito, R, Watanabe, S, Fujita, A, Fujimoto, A, Inokuchi, I, Ogura, Y. Temporal bone pathology in congenital anomalies of the oval window and the facial nerve. Auris Nasus Larynx 1985;12:139–48Google Scholar
48Schwartz, HG, Weddell, G. Observations on the pathways transmitting the sensation of taste. Brain 1938;61:99–115Google Scholar
49Tomita, H, Ikeda, M, Okuda, Y. Basis and practice of clinical taste examinations. Auris Nasus Larynx 1986;13(suppl 1):S1–15Google Scholar
50Berteretche, M-V, Eloit, C, Dumas, H, Talmain, G, Herman, P, Tran Ba Huy, P et al. Taste deficits after middle ear surgery for otosclerosis: taste somatosensory interactions. Eur J Oral Sci 2008;116:394–404Google Scholar
51Rusu, MC, Nimigean, V, Podoleanu, L, Ivascu, RV, Niculescu, MC. Details of the intralingual topography and morphology of the lingual nerve. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2008;37:835–9Google Scholar
52Yanagisawa, K, Bartoshuk, LM, Catalanotto, FA, Karrer, TA, Kveton, JF. Anesthesia of the chorda tympani nerve and taste phantoms. Physiol Behav 1998;63:329–35Google Scholar
53Jowett, A, Shrestha, R. Mucosa and taste buds of the human epiglottis. J Anat 1998;193:617–18Google Scholar
54Kano, M, Shimizu, Y, Okayama, K, Kikuchi, M. Quantitative study of ageing epiglottal taste buds in humans. Gerodontology 2007;24:169–72Google Scholar
55Ikeda, M, Ikui, A, Tomita, H. Gustatory function of the soft palate. Acta Otolaryngol Suppl 2002;546:69–73Google Scholar
56Toure, G, Bicchieray, L, Selva, J, Vacher, C. The intra-lingual course of the nerves of the tongue. Surg Radiol Anat 2005;27:297–302Google Scholar
57Doty, RL, Cummins, DM, Shibanova, A, Sanders, I, Mu, L. Lingual distribution of the human glossopharyngeal nerve. Acta Otolaryngol 2009;129:52–6Google Scholar
58Catalanotto, FA, Bartoshuk, LM, Ostrom, KM, Gent, JF, Fast, K. Effects of anesthesia of the facial nerve on taste. Chem Senses 1993;18:461–70Google Scholar
59Lehman, CD, Bartoshuk, LM, Catalanotto, FC, Kveton, JF, Lowlicht, RA. Effect of anesthesia of the chorda tympani nerve on taste perception in humans. Physiol Behav 1995;57:943–51Google Scholar
60Bartoshuk, LM, Snyder, DJ, Grushka, M, Berger, AM, Duffy, VB, Kveton, JF. Taste damage: previously unsuspected consequences. Chem Senses 2005;30(suppl 1):i218–9Google Scholar
61Getchell, TV, Doty, RL, Bartoshuk, LM, Snow, JB, eds. Smell and Taste in Health and Disease. New York: Raven Press, 1991Google Scholar
62Chilla, R, Bruner, M, Arglebe, C. Function of submaxillary gland following iatrogenic damage to chorda tympani nerve. Acta Otolaryngol 1979;87:152–5Google Scholar
63Chilla, R, Nicklatsch, J, Arglebe, C. Late sequelae of iatrogenic damage to chorda tympani nerve. Acta Otolaryngol 1982;94:461–5Google Scholar
64Diamant, H, Enfors, B, Holmstedt, B. Salivary secretion in man elicited by means of stimulation of the chorda tympani. Acta Physiol Scand 1959;45:293–9Google Scholar
65Laage-Hellman, J-E, Strom-Blad, CR. Secretion from human submaxillary gland after section of the chorda tympani. J Appl Physiol 1960;15:295–7Google Scholar
66Koeppen, BM, Stanton, BA, eds. Berne and Levy Physiology. Philadelphia: Mosby/ Elsevier, 2008Google Scholar
67Oakley, B. Taste responses of human chorda tympani nerve. Chem Senses 1985;10:469–81Google Scholar
68Perez, R, Fuoco, G, Dorion, JM, Ho, PH, Chen, JM. Does the chorda tympani nerve confer general sensation from the tongue? Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2006;135:368–73Google Scholar
69Just, T, Steiner, S, Strenger, T, Pau, HW. Changes of oral trigeminal sensitivity in patients after middle ear surgery. Laryngoscope 2007;117:1636–40Google Scholar
70Costen, JB, Clare, MH, Bishop, GH. The transmission of pain impulses via the chorda tympani nerve. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 1951;60:591–609Google Scholar
71Tie, K, Fast, K, Kveton, J, Cohen, Z, Duffy, V, Green, B et al. Anesthesia of chorda tympani nerve and effect on oral pain. Chem Senses 1999;24:609Google Scholar
72McBurney, DH, Collings, VB, Glanz, LM. Temperature dependence of human taste responses. Physiol Behav 1973;11:89–94Google Scholar
73Zotterman, Y. Has water a specific taste? Nature 1959;183:191–2Google Scholar
74Ogawa, H, Sato, M, Yamashita, S. Multiple sensitivity of chorda tympani fibres of the rat and hamster to gustatory and thermal stimuli. J Physiol 1968;199:223–40Google Scholar
75Andersen, HT, Hartmann, AO. Specificity of sensory messages mediated through chorda tympani fibres with multiple sensitivity to gustatory and thermal stimuli. Acta Physiol Scand 1971;83:150–5Google Scholar
76Cruz, A, Green, BG. Thermal stimulation of taste. Nature 2000;403:889–92Google Scholar
77Diamant, H, Wiberg, A. Does the chorda tympani in man contain secretory fibers for the parotid gland? Acta Otolaryngol 1965;60:255–64Google Scholar
78Jeppsson, PH. Studies on the structure and innervation of taste buds. An experimental and clinical investigation. Acta Otolaryngol Suppl 1969;259:1–95Google Scholar
79Erici, I, Uvnas, B. Efferent and antidromic vasodilator impulses to the tongue in the chorda-lingual nerve of the cat. Acta Physiol Scand 1952;25:10–4Google Scholar