ANATOMY AND IMPORTANCE OF THE FACIAL VASCULAR NERVOUS BUNDLE

Abstract

Anatomical knowledge of the facial vasculature is crucial for successful plastic, reconstructive, and minimally invasive procedures of the face. The facial artery is palpated as it crosses the inferior mandibular rim immediately anterior to the insertion of the masseter muscle. This point is also helpful in locating the course of the mandibular branch of the facial nerve. After crossing the mandibular rim, the facial artery and vein then follow an anterosuperior course in the direction of the oral commissure. Near the angle of the mouth, the inferior labial artery and then the superior labial artery branch off medially The facial vein, also referred to as the anterior facial vein, is a paired vessel and the main vein of the face. The facial veins stem from the angular veins on each side of the root of the nose. Some sources claim that the angular vein, which arises from the confluence of the supratrochlear and supraorbital veins, is only an initial segment of the facial vein.

Keywords

• facial artery
• facial vein
• facial vascular nervous bundle