Jung-Hee Bae, BSDH Joo-Heon Lee, MD, PhD Kwan-Hyun Youn, PhD Mi-Sun Hur, PhDKyung-Seok Hu, DDS, PhD Tanvaa Tansatit, MD, MSc Hee-Jin Kim, DDS, PhD
Aesthetic Surgery Journal, Volume 34, Issue 7, 1 September 2014, Pages NP43–NP49
Published: 01 September 2014
Abstract
Background
Confusion exists as to the plane of the risorius with respect to the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS), the parotid fascia, and the masseteric fascia, which generally are considered origins of the risorius.
Objectives
The authors attempted to clarify the origin of the risorius by topographic examination and dissection, which would provide valuable anatomic information for flap dissection in facelift surgery.
Methods
Detailed dissection was performed in the perioral region of 46 cadaveric specimens to discern the origin of the risorius in relation to the fascial layer. The anatomic aspects of the muscular arrangement and origin of the risorius were classified according to the location of attachment.
Results
The risorius originated solely from the fascial layer superficial to the SMAS in 27 specimens (58.7%; type A). It originated solely from the masseter tendon in 3 specimens (6.5%; type B) and from the fascial layers, both superficial and deep to the SMAS, in 16 specimens (34.8%; type C).
Conclusions
The patterns of risorius origination identified in this study represent important anatomic reference information for flap dissection in facelift surgery.