Common facial vein
Encyclopedia
The anterior facial vein
usually unites with the posterior facial vein
to form the common facial vein, which crosses the external carotid artery
and enters the internal jugular vein
at a variable point below the hyoid bone
.
From near its termination a communicating branch often runs down the anterior border of the Sternocleidomastoideus to join the lower part of the anterior jugular vein
.
The common facial vein is not present in all individuals.
Anterior facial vein
The anterior facial vein commences at the side of the root of the nose and is a direct continuation of the angular vein where it also receives a small nasal branch. It lies behind the facial artery and follows a less tortuous course...
usually unites with the posterior facial vein
Posterior facial vein
The retromandibular vein , formed by the union of the superficial temporal and maxillary veins, descends in the substance of the parotid gland, superficial to the external carotid artery but beneath the facial nerve, between the ramus of the mandible and the sternocleidomastoideus muscle.It divides...
to form the common facial vein, which crosses the external carotid artery
External carotid artery
In human anatomy, the external carotid artery is a major artery of the head and neck. It arises from the common carotid artery when it bifurcates into the external and internal carotid artery.-Course:...
and enters the internal jugular vein
Internal jugular vein
The two internal jugular veins collect the blood from the brain, the superficial parts of the face, and the neck.-Path:On both sides and at the base of the brain, the inferior petrosal sinus and the sigmoid sinus join to form the internal jugular vein...
at a variable point below the hyoid bone
Hyoid bone
The hyoid bone is a horseshoe-shaped bone situated in the anterior midline of the neck between the chin and the thyroid cartilage. At rest, it lies at the level of the base of the mandible in the front and the third cervical vertebra behind.Unlike other bones, the hyoid is only distantly...
.
From near its termination a communicating branch often runs down the anterior border of the Sternocleidomastoideus to join the lower part of the anterior jugular vein
Anterior jugular vein
The anterior jugular vein begins near the hyoid bone by the confluence of several superficial veins from the submaxillary region.It descends between the median line and the anterior border of the Sternocleidomastoideus, and, at the lower part of the neck, passes beneath that muscle to open into the...
.
The common facial vein is not present in all individuals.