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Facial vein
Other Terms:
Vena facialis,
Veine faciale
Description
The common facial vein is formed from the union of the posterior facial (retromandibular) vein and the anterior facial (facial ) vein. It crosses the external carotid artery and empties into the internal jugular vein below the hyoid bone. In some individuals, a branch runs along the anterior margin of the sternocleidomastoid and joins the lower part of the anterior jugular vein.
Description
The facial vein, the continuation of the angular vein, begins at the inner canthus of the eye. It receives blood from the external palatine vein and enters into the internal jugular vein. It runs downward and backward, beneath the zygomaticus and zygomatic head of the quadratus labii superioris, descends along the anterior border of the masseter, and then on the superficial surface. It then crosses over the mandible, passes backward beneath the platysma and cervical fascia. The facial vein has no valves, and the walls are thicker than most superficial veins.
Latin
Vena facialis
French
Veine faciale