An anatomical study of the facial artery.

The anatomical variations encountered in the dissection of 50 facial arteries in 25 adult preserved cadavers are presented. The facial artery was symmetrical in 17 of 25 (68%) of the dissections. The facial artery terminated as an angular facial artery in 34 (68%), a lateral nasal vessel in 13 (26%), and a superior labial vessel in 2 (4%); in 1 (2%) the facial artery terminated at the alar base. A longer course was identified in 5 (10%) facial arteries. The use of nasolabial flap (skin, full-thickness, and oral mucosa) raised as an island flap based on the facial artery or one its branches is discussed.