Anatomical Study of the Facial Artery: Origin and Branching Patterns in Adult Cadavers

Abstract

The facial artery is a crucial vessel responsible for supplying oxygenated blood to the face. This artery plays a significant role in reconstructive surgeries, particularly in plastic and maxillofacial surgery, due to its extensive vascular network. The current study aims to investigate the mode of origin and branching patterns of the facial artery in adult cadaveric specimens. Thirty hemifaces from 15 adult cadavers were dissected between January 2021 and December 2023. The results revealed that 86.67% of the specimens exhibited a separate origin of the facial artery from the external carotid artery, while 13.33% showed a common linguofacial trunk. In terms of branching patterns, 73.33% of specimens showed the facial artery terminating as the angular artery, 20% as the lateral nasal artery, and 6.67% as the superior labial artery. These findings provide essential anatomical insights with significant implications for surgical planning, particularly in reconstructive and aesthetic facial procedures.