Facial artery
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2008-04-03T13:39:24Z
Thijs!bot
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robot Adding: [[nds:Arteria facialis]]
{{Unreferenced|date=December 2007}}
{{Infobox Artery |
Name = {{PAGENAME}} |
Latin = arteria maxillaris externa |
GraySubject = 144 |
GrayPage = 553 |
Image = Gray508.png |
Caption = The arteries of the face and scalp. (External maxillary visible at bottom center.) |
Image2 = Gray1200.png |
Caption2 = Outline of side of face, showing chief surface markings. (Label for "Ext. Max. Art." at bottom left.) |
BranchFrom = [[external carotid artery]] |
BranchTo = [[Ascending palatine artery]] <BR> [[Tonsillar branch of facial artery|Tonsillar branch]] <BR> [[Submental artery]] <BR> [[Glandular branches of facial artery|Glandular branches]] <BR> [[Inferior labial artery]] <BR> [[Superior labial artery]] <BR> [[Lateral nasal branch of facial artery|Lateral nasal branch]] <BR> [[Angular artery]] (terminal branch) |
Vein = [[anterior facial vein]], [[posterior facial vein]] |
Supplies = | |
MeshName = |
MeshNumber = |
DorlandsPre = a_61 |
DorlandsSuf = 12154265 |
}}
The '''facial artery''' ('''external maxillary artery''' in older texts) is a branch of the [[external carotid artery]] that supplies structures of the face.
==Structure==
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]], passes obliquely up beneath the [[digastric]] and [[stylohyoid]] muscles, over which it arches to enter a groove on the posterior surface of the [[submandibular gland]].
It then curves upward over the body of the mandible at the antero-inferior angle of the [[masseter]]; passes forward and upward across the cheek to the angle of the mouth, then ascends along the side of the nose, and ends at the medial commissure of the eye, under the name of the [[angular artery]].
This vessel, both in the neck and on the face, is remarkably tortuous: in the former situation, to accommodate itself to the movements of the [[pharynx]] in [[deglutition]]; and in the latter, to the movements of the [[mandible]], [[lips]], and [[cheeks]].
[[Image:Facial artery.PNG|thumb|left|300px|Superficial dissection of the right side of the neck, showing the carotid and subclavian artery. Branch of facial artery labeled]]
==Relations==
In the neck, its origin is superficial, being covered by the integument, [[platysma]], and fascia; it then passes beneath the [[digastric]] and [[stylohyoid]] muscles and part of the [[submandibular gland]], but superficial to the [[hypoglossal nerve]].
It lies upon the [[middle pharyngeal constrictor]] and the [[superior pharyngeal constrictor]], the latter of which separates it, at the summit of its arch, from the lower and back part of the tonsil.
On the face, where it passes over the body of the mandible, it is comparatively superficial, lying immediately beneath the dilators of the mouth. In its course over the face, it is covered by the integument, the fat of the cheek, and, near the angle of the mouth, by the [[platysma]], [[risorius]], and [[zygomaticus major]]. It rests on the [[buccinator]] and [[levator anguli oris]], and passes either over or under the infraorbital head of the [[levator labii superioris]].
The [[anterior facial vein]] lies lateral/posterior to the artery, and takes a more direct course across the face, where it is separated from the artery by a considerable interval. In the neck it lies superficial to the artery.
The branches of the [[facial nerve]] cross the artery from behind forward.
The facial artery anastomoses with (among others) the [[dorsal nasal artery]] of the [[internal carotid artery]].
==Branches==
The branches of the facial artery are:
* cervical
** [[Ascending palatine artery]]
** [[Tonsillar branch of facial artery|Tonsillar branch]]
** [[Submental artery]]
** [[Glandular branches of facial artery|Glandular branches]]
* facial
** [[Inferior labial artery]]
** [[Superior labial artery]]
** [[Lateral nasal branch of facial artery|Lateral nasal branch]] to [[nasalis muscle]]
** [[Angular artery]] - the terminal branch
Th lateral pterygoid muscle divides the facial artery into 3 parts.
==Muscles==
Muscles supplied by the facial artery include:
* [[buccinator]]
* [[levator anguli oris]]
* [[levator labii superioris]]
* [[levator labii superioris alaeque nasi]]
* [[levator veli palatini]]
* [[masseter]]
* [[mentalis]]
* [[mylohyoid]]
* [[Nasalis muscle|nasalis]]
* [[palatoglossus]]
* [[palatopharyngeus]]
* [[platysma]]
* [[procerus]]
* [[risorius]]
* [[styloglossus]]
* [[transverse]] portion of the [[nasalis]]
==Additional images==
<gallery>
Image:Gray176.png|Mandible. Outer surface. Side view.
Image:Gray474.png|Diagram showing the origins of the main branches of the carotid arteries.
Image:Gray507.png|Superficial dissection of the right side of the neck, showing the carotid and subclavian arteries.
Image:Gray515.png|Bloodvessels of the eyelids, front view.
Image:Gray1210.png|Side of neck, showing chief surface markings.
</gallery>
==See also==
* [[Transverse facial artery]]
==External links==
* {{Medcyclopaedia|ii/f/FACIAL_ARTERY}}
* {{eMedicineDictionary|Facial+artery}}
* {{SUNYAnatomyLabs|23|09|01|01}} - "The Facial Artery and Vein"
* {{SUNYAnatomyFigs|25|04|04}} - "Branches of the external carotid artery."
* {{SUNYAnatomyLabs|31|09|01|06}} - "Common Carotid Artery and Branches of the External Carotid Artery"
* {{MUNAnatomy|head/cbv}}
{{Gray's}}
{{Arteries of head and neck}}
[[Category:Arteries]]
[[Category:Head and neck]]
[[de:Arteria facialis]]
[[fr:Artère faciale]]
[[la:Arteria facialis]]
[[nds:Arteria facialis]]