Facial artery

Facial artery (previously known as the external maxillary artery in older texts) is a branch of the external carotid artery that supplies structures of the face.

Anatomy

The facial artery arises in the carotid triangle from the external carotid artery a little above the lingual artery and, sheltered by the ramus of the mandible, it passes obliquely up beneath the digastric muscle and stylohyoid muscle, over which it arches to enter a groove on the posterior surface of the submandibular gland.

Branches

The branches of the facial artery are as follows:

• The ascending palatine artery
• The tonsillar branch
• The glandular branches
• The submental artery
• The inferior labial artery
• The superior labial artery
• The lateral nasal branch
• The angular artery

Clinical significance

The pulse of the facial artery can be felt and examined by pressing it against the lower border of the mandible. The facial artery is often used by surgeons as a point of reference to find the facial nerve during parotid gland surgeries.

See also

• External carotid artery
• Facial vein
• Pulse

External links

• Diagram at dartmouth.edu

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