Objective     To establish the animal model of denervated masseter and observe the changes of denervated masseter.      Methods     The model of denervated masseter was established by abscising selectively masseteric nerve

its superior division or inferior division of the right in 75 New Zealand rabbits and the left served as negative control. Another 25 rabbits were used as normal control. The thickness of experimental masseter was compared with that of negative controls and normal controls by type B ultrasound examination

and the histochemistry for the masseter changes was done at the 2

nd

4

th

8

th

12

th

24

th

week after masseter was cut off.       Results     The thickness of experimental masseteric muscle got thinner

and the section area of muscle fiber got smaller

but the type of musle fiber was of no obvious chang

es

as compared with that of normal controls.      Conclusion     The model is available and credible

and useful in researching masseter of denervated nerve in rabbit.