Facial Artery Course and Branches /Facial artery/Facial artery branches
The facial artery arises in the neck from the external carotid artery ). It initially lies beneath platysma, passing on to the face at the anteroinferior border of masseter, where its pulse can be felt as it crosses the mandible. The artery is deep to skin, the fat of the cheek and, near the angle of the mouth, zygomaticus major and riso­ rius, and super cial to buccinator and levator anguli oris. It may pass over or through levator labii superioris, and pursues a tortuous course along the side of the nose towards the medial corner of the eye. At its termination, it is embedded in levator labii superioris alaeque nasi.
Occasionally, the facial artery barely extends beyond the angle of the mouth, in which case its normal territory beyond this region is taken over by an enlarged transverse facial branch from the super cial tem­ poral artery and by branches from the contralateral facial artery. The facial vein is posterior to the artery and runs a more direct course across the face. At the anterior border of masseter, the two vessels are in contact, whereas in the neck the vein is super cial to the artery.
The facial artery supplies branches to the muscles and skin of the face . Its named branches on the face are the premasseteric artery, the superior and inferior labial arteries and the lateral nasal artery. The part of the artery distal to its terminal branch is called the angular artery.
Premasseteric artery
The premasseteric artery is small and incon­ stant. When present, it passes upwards along the anterior border of masseter and supplies the surrounding tissues.
Inferior labial artery
The inferior labial artery arises near the angle of the mouth, passes upwards and forwards under depressor anguli oris, and then penetrates orbicularis oris to run sinuously near the margin of the lower lip, between the muscle and the mucous membrane. It supplies the inferior labial glands, mucous membrane and muscles, and anastomoses with its contralateral fellow and with the mental branch of the inferior alveolar artery.
Superior labial artery
The superior labial artery is larger and more tortuous than the inferior labial artery. It pursues a similar course along the superior labial margin, between the mucous membrane and orbicu­ laris oris, anastomoses with its contralateral fellow, and supplies the upper lip. It gives off an alar branch and a septal branch, which rami es anteroinferiorly in the nasal septum.
Lateral nasal artery
The lateral nasal artery is given off by the side of the nose, supplies the dorsum and alae of nose, and anastomoses with its contralateral fellow. The lateral nasal artery may be replaced by a branch from the superior labial artery.