1 General Features

1. The veins of the face accompany the arteries and drain into:
   • Common facial vein
   • Retromandibular vein
2. These veins communicate with the cavernous sinus.
3. The veins on each side form a “W-shaped” arrangement.
   • Each corner of the “W” is prolonged:
   • Upwards → into the scalp.
   • Downwards → into the neck.

2 Facial Vein

Formation of Angular Vein

• Angular vein is formed by the union of:
  • Supratrochlear vein
  • Supraorbital vein
• Angular vein continues as the facial vein.

Course of Facial Vein

• Facial vein runs:
  • Downwards.
  • Backwards.
  • Behind the facial artery.
• It has a straighter course than the facial artery.
• It crosses the anteroinferior angle of the masseter.
• Pierces the deep fascia.
• Crosses the submandibular gland.
• Joins the anterior division of the retromandibular vein below the angle of the mandible.
• These form the common facial vein.
• Common facial vein drains into the internal jugular vein.
• The facial vein is represented by a line drawn just behind the facial artery.
• Other veins drain into neighbouring veins.

3 Deep Connections of Facial Vein

Deep connections of the facial vein include:

1. A communication between the supraorbital vein and superior ophthalmic vein.
2. Another connection with the pterygoid venous plexus:
   • Through the deep facial vein.
   • Deep facial vein passes backwards over the buccinator.

4 Clinical Anatomy

Dangerous Area of Face

Anatomical Basis

• Venous blood from this area is drained by the facial vein.
• Facial vein has peculiarities that make this area a dangerous area of the face.

1. Facial Vein is Devoid of Valves

2. Facial Vein Communicates with the Cavernous Sinus

a. Through Angular and Supraorbital Veins

• Angular vein and supraorbital vein communicate with the superior ophthalmic vein.
• Superior ophthalmic vein is a tributary of the cavernous sinus.

b. Through Deep Facial Vein

• Deep facial vein communicates with the pterygoid venous plexus.
• Pterygoid venous plexus has communication with the cavernous sinus via emissary veins.

3. Position of Facial Vein

• Facial vein rests on the facial muscles.
• This facilitates the spread of:
  • Infection.
  • Emboli.
• Infection and emboli may spread from the facial vein to the cavernous sinus.