The Arterial Supply to the Face

Facial Artery

The facial artery is the fourth major branch of the external carotid artery. It arises within the carotid triangle of the neck.

After its origin, the facial artery ascends – travelling superiorly and obliquely across the posterior surface of the submandibular gland.

It then curves over the anterior aspect of the body of the mandible, before travelling along the inferior border of the masseter muscle.

The facial artery then moves deep to the muscles of facial expression and gives rise to numerous branches. It terminates as the angular artery within the nasolabial fold.

Branches

The facial artery supplies structures in both the head and neck. The specific branches that supply structures of the face include:

• Superior and inferior labial artery – supply the upper and lower lips.
• Lateral nasal artery – supplies the external nose.
• Angular artery – supplies the external nose, lower eyelid, orbicularis oculi and lacrimal sac.

By TeachMeSeries Ltd (2026)

Fig 1
Anatomical course of the facial artery.

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Superficial Temporal Artery

The superficial temporal artery is a terminal branch of the external carotid artery. It arises within the substance of the parotid gland, at the level of mandibular neck.

Within the parotid gland, the artery gives rise to the transverse facial artery. It then travels superiorly, passing anterior to the external ear and over the zygomatic arch.

The superficial temporal artery terminates within the temporal fossa on the lateral aspect of the skull by dividing into frontal and parietal branches.

Branches

The superficial temporal artery supplies structures of the face via numerous branches:

• Transverse facial artery – supplies the parotid gland and duct, orbicularis oris muscle, and masseter muscle.
• Middle temporal artery – supplies the temporalis muscle.
• Zygomatico-orbital artery – supplies the orbicularis oculi muscle.
• Anterior auricular artery – supplies the external ear.
• Parietal terminal branch – supplies the structures of the parietal scalp.
• Frontal terminal branch – supplies the structures of the lateral forehead.

By TeachMeSeries Ltd (2026)

Fig 2
Branches of the superficial temporal artery

Maxillary Artery

The maxillary artery is a terminal branch of the external carotid artery. It arises within the substance of the parotid gland and passes forward to enter the infratemporal fossa.

It passes through the infratemporal fossa, exiting via the pterygomaxillary fissure and entering the pterygopalatine fossa.

Branches

The maxillary artery supplies numerous (usually deep) structures in the head. The specific branches that supply structures of the face include:

• Infraorbital artery – supplies the lateral nose, cheek and upper lip.
• Buccal artery – supplies the cheek and buccinator muscle.
• Mental artery – supplies the skin and muscles of the chin region.

By TeachMeSeries Ltd (2026)

Fig 3
Branches of the maxillary artery to the face.

Ophthalmic Artery

The ophthalmic artery is the first main branch of the internal carotid artery. It primarily supplies structures related to the orbit.

It has an intracranial origin, arising as the internal carotid artery leaves the cavernous sinus. It enters the bony orbit via the optic canal and gives rise to numerous arteries which supply the eye and surrounding structures.

It terminates by dividing into the supratrochlear artery and dorsal nasal artery.

Branches

The ophthalmic artery gives rise to numerous vessels that supply the eye and surrounding structures. The branches that supply structures of the face include:

• Supraorbital artery – supplies skin, muscles and periosteum of the forehead.
• Supratrochlear artery – supplies skin, muscles and periosteum of the forehead.
• Dorsal nasal artery – supplies the nasolacrimal sac and external nose.
• Zygomatico-facial artery – supplies the upper cheek.