Normal sensation of the human face and neck.

Abstract

A total of 116 adult volunteers were studied to determine normal values for static two-point discrimination and sensation of pressure of the head and neck. Thirteen regions of the head and neck corresponding to major sensory innervation were examined bilaterally for static two-point discrimination with the Mackinnon-Dellon Disk-Criminator and for sensation of pressure with Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments. Perception of two-point discrimination improved from lateral and posterior areas (17 to 25 mm) to the midline toward the lips (3 to 7 mm). Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments proved inadequate in determining sensitivity to cutaneous pressure because of low thresholds in the face and neck. Static two-point discrimination is a reliably reproducible method for assessing sensation of the face and neck.