Evaluation of masseter muscle topographical anatomy in six quadrants in term of invasive procedures

Masseter muscle, regio parotideo masseterica, is an important target structure for interventional procedures. These interventional procedures may be surgical applications or frequently used applications such as botulinum toxin injection. The aim of the thesis is to examine the topographic anatomical boundaries of the masseter muscle, to explain the other anatomical structures in the region and the relations between them. 20 males and 20 females were fixed with 10% formalin solution and the fixed cadaver head region arterial circulatory system was filled with red pigmented epoxy resin, and right and left parotideomasseteric regions were dissected at magnifying tables. Photometric measurements have been made on the pictures of the dissected areas. Also digital caliper measurements have been made by hand. In this study, it has been observed that auriculotemporal nerve, superficial temporal artery and vein, did not surface in the specified area. Although II-B area is determined as the most suitable area for injection-like invasive operations, the distances and depths of other important structures in the region to the reference lines are required to be taken into account.