Abstract
The microvascular structures of the facial, cochlear and vestibular nerves in the guinea pig temporal bone were observed.
Findings:
1. Facial nerves: All nerves in the temporal bone were covered with a two-layer barrel-shaped capillary network quite different from that in other parts.
2. Cochlear nerves: The common cochlear artery coiled around the nerves in a dense network. No barrel-shaped structure was observed.
3. Vestibular nerves: A relatively sparse vascular net was observed which was divergent from the vestibular artery running parallel to the nerves.
Conclusion:
If facial nerves, as compared with cochlear and vestibular nerves, a specific barrel-shaped vascular structure was observed which could be a causative factor in Bell's palsy.
