Facial Vein

Course

The facial vein is the direct continuation of the angular vein at the inferomedial angle of the orbit (just lateral to the nose). The angular vein itself is formed by the union of the supratrochlear and supraorbital veins.

From its origin, the facial vein runs inferolaterally and posteriorly to the facial artery. It descends across the face, passing over the surface of the emasseter muscle to the inferior border of the mandible, where it passes superficial to the submandibular gland. The vein then continues downward to drain into the internal jugular vein.

From its origin, the facial vein runs inferolaterally and posteriorly to the facial artery. It descends across the face, passing over the surface of the masseter muscle to reach the inferior border of the mandible. Here, it passes superficial to the submandibular gland before continuing downward to drain into the internal jugular vein.

Along its course, the facial vein receives several tributaries:

• Deep facial vein – which connects with the pterygoid venous plexus
• Transverse facial vein – draining into the superficial temporal vein
• Superficial tributaries – from the labial, infraorbital, supraorbital, mandibular, nasal, and cheek regions

Through the angular vein, the facial vein also communicates with the superior ophthalmic vein – providing a potential route for the spread of infection into the cavernous sinus.

Drainage

The major tributaries of the facial vein drain the following structures:

• Angular vein – drains the forehead and root of the nose
• Deep facial vein – drains the pterygoid venous plexus of the infratemporal fossa
• Transverse facial vein – drains the lateral aspect of the face and communicates with the superficial temporal vein
• Labial veins – drain the upper and lower lips
• Nasal veins – drain the external nose
• Infraorbital and supraorbital veins – drain the eyelids and orbit
• Mandibular and buccal tributaries – drain the cheek and mandible region