External maxillary artery

External Maxillary Artery

The external maxillary artery and its branches.

The External Maxillary Artery (also known as the Facial Artery) is a major blood vessel in the human anatomy that supplies oxygenated blood to the structures of the face and neck. It is a branch of the common carotid artery and is one of the key components of the circulatory system.

Anatomy

The external maxillary artery originates from the common carotid artery in the neck. It ascends to the face, passing over the mandible at the antero-inferior edge of the masseter muscle. It then follows a tortuous course up to the angle of the mouth, then ascends along the side of the nose and ends at the medial canthus of the eye, where it anastomoses with the dorsal nasal artery, a branch of the ophthalmic artery.

Branches

The external maxillary artery gives off several branches, including:

• Inferior labial artery
• Superior labial artery
• Lateral nasal branch
• Angular artery

Clinical significance

Knowledge of the external maxillary artery and its branches is crucial in several medical and surgical procedures, including facial reconstruction surgery, maxillofacial surgery, and in the management of facial trauma.

See also

• Internal maxillary artery
• Common carotid artery
• Circulatory system