During a superficial parotidectomy, the main trunk of the facial nerve is identified at the stylomastoid foramen before it enters the parotid gland. Which of the following is the most constant surgical landmark for locating the main trunk of the facial nerve at this point?

• A Tympanomastoid suture line
• B Tragal pointer ✓
• C Styloid process
• D Posterior belly of digastric muscle

Explanation

The tragal pointer is the most constant landmark for identifying the main trunk of the facial nerve at the stylomastoid foramen. The nerve is found approximately 1 cm deep and slightly anteroinferior to the tip of the tragal pointer. The tympanomastoid suture is too deep to reliably identify the main trunk initially. The posterior belly of the digastric muscle helps locate the nerve deeper in the wound but is not the primary landmark. The styloid process is not the primary landmark for the main trunk.

Reference: Bailey and Love's Short Practice of Surgery, 27th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.