Topography of Superficial Arteries on the Face / 체질인류학회지

ABSTRACT

The facial artery (FA) and superficial temporal artery (STA) from the external carotid artery and the supraorbital, supra- and infratrochlear arteries from the internal carotid artery are the superficial arteries distributing to the face. It was broadly known that the FA winds on the antegonial notch, ascends superomedially and finally reaches to the medial canthus area as forming the angular artery (AA). However many previous studies reported that the AA was only observed in 4~68% in their studies. The superior labial artery (SLA) from the FA issues the superficial and deep septal artery proceeding superiorly toward the nasal septum. It was reported that the nasal branches were ramified from the FA, after the bifurcation of the SLA in most Korean cadavers, and it seems that the lateral nasal and dorsal nasal arteries are crucial vasculature of the external nose. The branches of the ophthalmic artery distribute the glabellar and forehead, and they form anastomoses each other or are communicated to the AA. The topography of the superficial arteries of face is very important in the reconstructive surgery and non-invasive treatment such as the botulinum neurotoxin type A or dermal filler injection.