Facial artery

Last edit by Alaric Steinmetz on

The facial artery is a branch of the External carotid artery.

Anatomy

The facial artery branches off directly superior to the Lingual artery and initially lies medial to the mandible, crossing the inferior border of the mandible anterior to the insertion of the Masseter muscle. The facial artery then runs in a tortuous, ascending course toward the medial canthus of the eye, which it reaches with its terminal branch, the angular artery. Other branches of the facial artery include:

  • Arteria palatina ascendes

  • Arteria submentalis

  • Arteria labialis inferior

  • Arteria labialis superior

Through its terminal branch, the angular artery, the facial artery anastomoses with the Ophthalmic artery, which arises from the Internal carotid artery[^1].

Figure

Facial artery
Illustration of the facial artery, which is referred to as the external maxillary artery in this anatomical drawing. Anatomical drawing adapted from Gray's Anatomy, Figure 507.
Facial artery—Gray's Anatomy
Anatomical drawing of the facial artery. Figure adapted from Gray's Anatomy, Figure 508.

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