Abstract

Introduction: Face is mainly supplied by the Facial artery supplemented by transverse facial artery. Variations in the course and branching pattern of facial artery are commonly seen. The understanding of these variations of facial artery plays a very important role in facio-maxillary surgeries. It is also of immense importance to radiologists in interpreting facial artery angiography. Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted in the Department of Anatomy, Subbaiah Institute of Medical Sciences on 50 formalin fixed adult hemi-faces irrespective of sex. The branching pattern, terminations and variations of facial artery on the face were studied. The facial artery predominantly terminated as angular artery in 28 (56%) hemi-faces, as superior labial artery in 15 (30%) hemi-faces and as lateral nasal artery in 6 (12%) hemi-faces. Results: An inconstant posterior (pre-masseteric) branch of facial artery was observed in 3 (6%) hemi-faces. In one of the hemi-face we found a deviation in the usual course of facial artery, where the artery deviated towards the infra-orbital foramen then continued and terminated as the lateral nasal artery. An unusual termination of facial artery was observed in one of the hemi-faces where the artery terminated by giving 4 branches in the lower buccal region. Conclusion: Knowledge of these variations and anomalous branching pattern is of great academic and clinical significance in general practice, Otorhinology, Traumatology, Plastic and Maxillofacial surgeries and Radiology.

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