Introduction The skull base is a complex anatomic region through which the major blood vessels of the head and neck, cranial nerves, and spinal cord pass. A variety of congenital malformations and neoplasms can involve the skull base. As surgical…
Introduction The upper aerodigestive (UAD) tract is an intricate maze of alleyways, muscular tubes, and cords that allows humans to have a common functional pathway for oral intake and breathing, as well as harmonizing vibrations into speech. Articulation of speech…
Introduction Reconstruction of the midface, particularly of the maxilla, following tumor removal is a significant challenge because of its complex three-dimensional architecture and important role in facial esthetics and function. The goals of reconstruction include: (1) maintaining midfacial height, width,…
Introduction The oral tongue and mandible act as an inseparable functional unit of the lower face. Embryologically, tongue, mandible, and muscles of mastication share a common origin from the first branchial arch (BR). There is an interdependent developmental relationship between…
Introduction Head and neck cancers are the sixth most common group of malignancies worldwide. In the United States, the estimated incidence is 65,000 new cases per year, which are most commonly diagnosed among adults older than 50 years of age.…
For videos accompanying this chapter see ExpertConsult.com . See inside cover for access details. Introduction Facial paralysis presents a complex challenge to the reconstructive surgeon. Since Sir Charles Bell first described the course of the facial nerve in 1821, our…
Orthognathic Surgery History The term “orthognathic” stems from the Greek words ortho , which is to straighten, and gnathic , which describes the jaw. Orthognathic surgery is a subspecialty practiced by numerous disciplines, including oral and maxillofacial, plastic and reconstructive,…
History Hippocrates provided the first description of what is now called craniosynostosis in 100 BC and noted the variation of skull deformities and correlated it with the pattern of cranial suture involvement. There are many historical descriptions of people with…
Craniofacial clefts include a complex and heterogenous group of deformities that affect the face, causing significant functional and appearance-related issues for affected patients. The term “rare” craniofacial cleft is used to differentiate them from the more “typical” clefts of the…
For video accompanying this chapter see ExpertConsult.com . See inside cover for access details. Ear Development The intricate contours of the external ear are attributed to delicate elastic cartilage covered with a thin layer of subcutaneous tissue and skin. The…