Deep facial vein

Deep Facial Vein

The veins of the face, showing the deep facial vein (labeled as facial vein).

The Deep Facial Vein (vena profunda faciei) is a vein that drains blood from the face. It is a part of the facial venous system and is closely associated with the facial artery and facial nerve.

Anatomy

The deep facial vein begins at the pterygoid plexus, a network of small veins located in the infratemporal fossa. It runs anteriorly, passing through the buccinator muscle and the masseter muscle, before joining the anterior facial vein to form the common facial vein.

Function

The primary function of the deep facial vein is to drain deoxygenated blood from the facial tissues and transport it back to the heart. It also plays a role in the regulation of blood pressure and blood volume in the face.

Clinical significance

Due to its location, the deep facial vein is susceptible to injury and infection. Conditions such as facial vein thrombosis and facial vein aneurysm can occur if the vein is damaged or blocked.

See also

• Facial vein
• Superficial temporal vein
• Retromandibular vein

External links

• Wikimedia Commons has media related to Deep facial vein.