Anatomic study of the arterial territories of the face depending on the external carotid artery branches (original) (raw)

An Anatomical Study of the Facial Artery Un Estudio Anatómico de la Arteria Facial

2019

The facial artery (a branch of the external carotid artery) is the main artery of the face. It gives rise to seven branches viz. inferior labial, superior labial, inferior alar, superior alar, lateral nasal and angular arteries, which are variable. This study included a dissection of twenty embalmed adult cadaveric head and neck specimens. The parameters of origin, branching patterns, termination and variations were analysed and compared with sex and laterality. The facial artery followed the standard anatomical description of origin in 84.62 % of the sample. Variations: (i) origin as a linguofacial trunk in 12.82 % and (ii) high origin in 2.56 % was observed. Male specimens displayed a higher number of linguofacial trunk origins (7.69 %). The branching patterns of the facial artery was classified into six types, with subtypes for Types 1 and 2. Subtype 1-A (standard anatomical description with early termination) occurred in most of the sample (46.15 %). Males were found to have more variations in branching patterns than females (48.72 % and 41.03 % respectively). Termination of the facial artery was as follows: inferior labial artery (5.13 %), superior labial artery (10.26 %), inferior alar artery (10.26 %), superior alar artery (46.15 %), lateral nasal artery (5.13 %), and angular artery (20.51 %). A single case (2.56 %) of an abortive artery was noted. Statistical analysis showed that sex was independent of each parameter observed in this study. Anatomical knowledge of the facial artery is of importance to clinicians and surgeons during procedures such as musculomucosal, island flaps and aesthetic dermatology.

A Study on Course and Variations of Facial Artery on the Face

International Journal of Anatomy and Research, 2018

Face is mainly supplied by the Facial artery supplemented by transverse facial artery. Variations in the course and branching pattern of facial artery are commonly seen. The understanding of these variations of facial artery plays a very important role in facio-maxillary surgeries. It is also of immense importance to radiologists in interpreting facial artery angiography. Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted in the Department of Anatomy, Subbaiah Institute of Medical Sciences on 50 formalin fixed adult hemi-faces irrespective of sex. The branching pattern, terminations and variations of facial artery on the face were studied. The facial artery predominantly terminated as angular artery in 28 (56%) hemi-faces, as superior labial artery in 15 (30%) hemi-faces and as lateral nasal artery in 6 (12%) hemi-faces. Results: An inconstant posterior (pre-masseteric) branch of facial artery was observed in 3 (6%) hemi-faces. In one of the hemi-face we found a deviation in the usual course of facial artery, where the artery deviated towards the infra-orbital foramen then continued and terminated as the lateral nasal artery. An unusual termination of facial artery was observed in one of the hemi-faces where the artery terminated by giving 4 branches in the lower buccal region. Conclusion: Knowledge of these variations and anomalous branching pattern is of great academic and clinical significance in general practice, Otorhinology, Traumatology, Plastic and Maxillofacial surgeries and Radiology.

Bilateral variation in origin of facial artery in a cadaver

Anatomical knowledge of the origin, course, and branching pattern of the facial artery is important for surgeons and radiologist. However abnormal pattern of facial artery may change the result of the treatment, if it is not predicted in advance. Here we report bilateral variation in origin of facial artery originated as a linguo-facial trunk from external carotid artery.

Three main arteries of the face and their tortuosity

British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 1991

The anatomy of the facial, transverse facial and infraorbital arteries and their tortuosity was studied in 69 human cadavers (age range 18-95 years). The types of facial vascularisation were divided into four categories according to the gradually diminishing relative dominance of the facial artery. Type A, in which the facial artery was dominant, comprised 22% of the cases; type B. 49%; type C 20%; and the variant of the hypoplastic facial artery, type D, 9% of the cases. The type of vascularisation was not dependent on age or sex. The tortuosity of all three arteries showed a statistically signilicant increase with age. A weak correlation was found between the relative dominance and the tortuosity of the facial artery.

A rare variation in facial artery and its implications in facial surgery

Facial artery is usually the main artery supplying the face. It gives three named branches on the face, the inferior labial, the superior labial and the lateral nasal and continues as the angular artery. Face is also supplied by the transverse facial artery and the arteries accompanying the cutaneous nerves. In our present case report, we observed that the lingual and facial arteries were originating from the front of External Carotid artery (ECA) as a common linguofacial trunk on the left side and coursed upwards towards the mandible for about 1.2 cm and then divided into facial and lingual arteries. We observed that the facial artery terminated as Inferior labial artery as end artery (without anastomoses). The other branches for the face namely Superior labial, lateral nasal and angular arteries are arises from the Transverse facial artery. Conclusion: In this study, we noticed that a variation in the morphological aspect of arterial pattern of face, until then not documented. In this sense, the objective of this study was to report a variation of the facial artery and to analyze it relative to the literature state of the art. The present case may provide useful information in different fields of oral and maxillofacial surgery.

The Study of Higher Origin of Facial Artery and its Surgical Significance

Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery, 2014

Facial artery plays a key role in blood supply of the face. Facial artery one of the anterior branches of the external carotid artery originates within the carotid triangle. Variation in the origin of the facial artery was observed on two sides out of 60 sides in 30 cadavers. Facial artery was observed originating at the level just below the maxillary artery within the parotid gland. Facial artery may originate as linguo-facial trunk or thyro-linguo-facial trunk. Other developmental variations have also been described in the literature like, agenesis of facial artery, enlarged facial artery, hypoplastic facial artery. Variability in situation may complicate the surgery. Therefore maxillofacial surgeon, plastic surgeons and head & neck surgeon should be aware of such variation.

A Stereoangiographic Study of the Arterial Variations in the External Carotid System

Dentomaxillofacial Radiology, 1985

Selective external carotid angiography was performed on a series of 80 cadavers and the arteriograms were studied from stereoradiographs taken with a Zonarc@radiographicapparatus. The order oframification of the lingual, facial and occipitalarteries varied: the most proximalbranch was most often the lingual (53.8%), whereas the most distal branch was either the facial (40%) or the occipital (36.3%). The facial and lingual arteries had a common origin in 17.5% ofthe cases. The course ofthe maxillaryartery was superficialin 58.2% and deep in 41.8% of this series. In the superficial variant the inferior alveolar artery most commonly arose after the middle meningeal, and the origins of the middle deep temporal and inferior alveolar arteries were always independent. In contrast in the deep variant, the inferior alveolar artery rarely arose after the middle meningeal, and, in most cases, it showed a common origin with the middle deep temporal artery.

The Course and Variation of the Facial Artery and Vein

Annals of Plastic Surgery, 2011

The main arterial supply of the facial skin envelope is the facial artery which serves as the main pedicle for a number of facial flaps, including a facial transplant graft. This study explored the course of the facial artery and vein, branching patterns, terminations, and anomalous variants. Cadaveric dissections of 201 facial arteries and 198 facial veins were performed. All branches originated from a single facial arterial trunk in 86% of specimens and branching patterns were symmetrical in 53%. The facial artery predominantly terminated as a lateral nasal artery (49%). In 5 cases, the facial artery was undetectable with transverse facial arterial dominance (1 case bilateral). The facial vein was predictable in position except for 2 instances, being replaced by a transverse facial vein (unilateral). Facial arterial dominance in facial blood supply is common but unpredictable. Careful vascular workup prior to facial transplantation and unipedicled flap procedures is therefore essential.

A Rare Variation in Facial Artery and Its Implications in Facial Surgery: Case Report

Journal of Surgery, 2014

Facial artery is usually the main artery supplying the face. It gives three named branches on the face, the inferior labial, the superior labial and the lateral nasal and continues as the angular artery. Face is also supplied by the transverse facial artery and the arteries accompanying the cutaneous nerves. In our present case report, we observed that the lingual and facial arteries were originating from the front of External Carotid artery (ECA) as a common linguofacial trunk on the left side and coursed upwards towards the mandible for about 1.2 cm and then divided into facial and lingual arteries. We observed that the facial artery terminated as Inferior labial artery as end artery (without anastomoses). The other branches for the face namely Superior labial, lateral nasal and angular arteries are arises from the Transverse facial artery. Conclusion: In this study, we noticed that a variation in the morphological aspect of arterial pattern of face, until then not documented. In this sense, the objective of this study was to report a variation of the facial artery and to analyze it relative to the literature state of the art. The present case may provide useful information in different fields of oral and maxillofacial surgery.