🥇 ARTERIA Y VENA FACIAL, Anatomía - ¡Explicación Sencilla!

Irrigation of the Face: Facial Artery and Vein

Introduction to the Facial Artery

• The video introduces the topic of facial artery irrigation and venous drainage, specifically focusing on the facial artery and vein.

• It emphasizes that this video will detail the journey, relationships, and branches of the facial artery, building upon previous discussions about external carotid arteries.

Origin and Pathway of the Facial Artery

• The facial artery is identified as a branch of the external carotid artery, originating from its anterior surface above the lingual artery's emergence.

• A common variation includes both lingual and facial arteries arising together from a trunk known as the lingofacial trunk.

• The arterial pathway runs through the neck before reaching the face, concluding at the inner corner of the eye where it anastomoses with branches of the ophthalmic artery.

Cervical Portion of Facial Artery

• The cervical portion begins at approximately the level of what is referred to as the carotid triangle in anatomy.

• This section runs until it crosses beneath the lower jaw (mandible), marking a transition into its facial portion.

Relationships with Surrounding Structures

• The cervical portion is covered by platysma muscle and has close relationships with several muscles including stylohyoid and digastric muscles.

• Notably, there are significant connections between this portion and cranial nerves such as hypoglossus (XII cranial nerve).

Branches of Cervical Portion

• As it travels through its course, this cervical segment gives rise to four key branches:

• Ascending Palatine Artery: Previously known as pterygoid artery; supplies blood to pterygoid muscles and soft palate.

• Tonsillar Branch: Passes outside styloglossus muscle towards ascending plate.

Anatomy of the Facial Artery and Vein

Overview of the Ascending Palatine Artery

• The ascending palatine artery is located medial to the styloglossus muscle and is attached to the superior constrictor muscle of the pharynx, passing over its upper edge.

• The tonsillar branch supplies the palatine tonsils by piercing through the superior constrictor muscle, indicating its anatomical significance in tonsil supply.

Branches of the Facial Artery

• The facial artery gives rise to glandular branches that directly supply the submaxillary gland as it passes nearby.

• The facial artery runs tortuously, with a close relationship to the facial vein throughout its course; it is positioned anteriorly relative to this vein at lower jaw levels.

Key Branches of the Facial Artery

• Four main branches arise from the facial artery:

• Inferior Labial Artery: Previously known as inferior coronary artery, supplies lower lip and adjacent skin/muscles.

• Superior Labial Artery: Formerly called superior coronary artery, also anastomoses with its counterpart on opposite side.

• The External Nasal Branch irrigates parts of the nose including dorsum and lateral nasal areas.

• The Angular Artery connects with branches from ophthalmic arteries (nasal and palpebral), highlighting significant vascular connections in facial anatomy.

Detailed Pathway of Facial Vein

• The facial vein originates at the internal angle of the eye from two veins: supratrochlear (internal frontal vein) and supraorbital vein, forming what is known as angular vein.

Tributaries of Facial Vein

• Major tributaries include:

• Superior Ophthalmic Vein

• Infraorbital Vein: Drains into facial vein after passing through infraorbital foramen.

• Deep Facial Vein: Establishes communication with pterygoid plexus, emphasizing clinical importance due to potential infection pathways.

• Other tributaries include lateral nasal veins, superior labial vein, inferior labial vein, and submental vein; these contribute to increasing thickness as they converge into larger vessels.

Clinical Significance

Understanding the Facial Vein and Its Connections

The Role of the Facial Vein

• The facial vein communicates with the pterygoid plexus, indicating its role in venous drainage from the face.

• It receives blood from the lingual vein, forming the lingo-facial trunk, which is crucial for draining facial and lingual regions.

• Ultimately, this trunk connects to the external jugular vein, highlighting its importance in systemic circulation.

Interaction with Other Veins

• The superior thyroid vein can sometimes merge with the lingo-facial trunk, demonstrating anatomical variations in venous drainage.