Arunabh Bhattacharya1,2, Ramaswamy Sharma3, Caitlin Armstrong4, Laura Solis3. 1. Department of Clinical and Applied Science Education, University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine, 7615 Kennedy Hill Drive, San Antonio, TX, 78235, USA. bhattach@uiwtx.edu. 2. Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, Long School of Medicine, UT Health San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA. bhattach@uiwtx.edu. 3. Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, Long School of Medicine, UT Health San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA. 4. School of Dentistry, UT Health San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Understanding anatomical variations of the facial artery and its branches is important for dental and medical practitioners. METHODS: Routine cadaveric dissection of the head and neck was performed to demonstrate the origin and branches of the facial artery. RESULTS: Facial artery emerged from a common linguofacial trunk off the external carotid artery. On the face, the facial artery first gave off a pre-masseteric branch. Immediately after, an aberrant artery emerged from the facial artery that coursed along the ramus of the mandible, which upon further dissection and examination was found to anastomose with inferior alveolar artery within the ramus of the mandible. CONCLUSIONS: We report a unique anastomosis between facial and inferior alveolar arteries, vessels that have not been previously shown to communicate. This case report may provide useful information for oral and maxillofacial surgeons as well as dentists performing inferior alveolar nerve blocks.
PURPOSE: Understanding anatomical variations of the facial artery and its branches is important for dental and medical practitioners. METHODS: Routine cadaveric dissection of the head and neck was performed to demonstrate the origin and branches of the facial artery. RESULTS: Facial artery emerged from a common linguofacial trunk off the external carotid artery. On the face, the facial artery first gave off a pre-masseteric branch. Immediately after, an aberrant artery emerged from the facial artery that coursed along the ramus of the mandible, which upon further dissection and examination was found to anastomose with inferior alveolar artery within the ramus of the mandible. CONCLUSIONS: We report a unique anastomosis between facial and inferior alveolar arteries, vessels that have not been previously shown to communicate. This case report may provide useful information for oral and maxillofacial surgeons as well as dentists performing inferior alveolar nerve blocks.