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Facial vein
Origin and course

Drainage
Author: Gordana Sendić MD • Reviewer: Jana Vasković MD
Clinical significance
Last reviewed: July 12, 2023
Sources Reading time: 5 minutes

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Recommended video: Superficial blood vessels of the head [23:07]

Superficial arteries and veins of the head and scalp.

The facial vein, also referred to as the anterior

facial vein, is a paired vessel and the main vein
of the face. The facial veins stem from the
angular veins on each side of the root of the
nose. Some sources claim that the angular vein,
which arises from the confluence of the
supratrochlear and supraorbital veins, is only an
initial segment of the facial vein.

The facial vein courses through the face and

then through the neck, thus being divided into Facial vein (vena facialis)

the facial and cervical parts. From the root of

the nose, the facial vein descends obliquely downwards towards the mandible,
receiving many tributaries from the superficial structures of the face. It then
emerges in the neck by crossing the body of the mandible. It collects several
tributaries in the neck, after which it unites with the anterior branch of the
retromandibular vein to form the common facial vein. Finally, the common facial
vein conveys the blood from the facial vein into the internal jugular vein.

Key facts about the facial vein Table quiz

Drains from Angular vein

Tributaries Facial portion: supratrochlear, supraorbital, external nasal, inferior palpebral,

superior and inferior labial, deep facial vein, buccinator, parotid and masseteric
veins
Cervical portion: submental, tonsillar, external palatine, lingual, submandibular,
pharyngeal and superior thyroid veins

Drains to Internal jugular vein

Drainage area Anterior scalp and forehead, eyelids, nose, cheeks, lips, chin and
submandibular gland, thyroid gland

This article will discuss the anatomy and function of the facial vein.

Contents

1. Origin and course

2. Drainage
3. Clinical significance
+ Show all
3.1. Thrombosis of the cavernous sinus

Origin and course

The facial vein arises as a continuation of the

angular vein, just below the level of the inferior
margin of the orbit. Near its origin point, the
facial vein receives the supratrochlear and
supraorbital veins via the angular vein. It then
passes obliquely downwards on the lateral side
of the nose, receiving the external nasal and
inferior palpebral veins.

The facial vein then continues obliquely across

the face, passing posterior to the zygomaticus
major, risorius and levator labii superioris Facial vein
1/6
Vena facialis
muscle. Within this area of the face, the facial
vein receives the superior and inferior labial Synonyms: Anterior facial vein, Vena
facialis anterior
veins, as well as the deep facial vein via which it
communicates with the pterygoid venous
plexus of the infratemporal fossa.

At the lower part of the face, the facial vein descends along the anterior surface of
the masseter muscle, reaching the body of mandible. It then curves posteriorly
around the body of mandible and enters the neck. In this part of its course, the
facial vein passes deep to the platysma and cervical fascia, and superficial to the
submandibular gland, digastric muscle and stylohyoid muscle. The cervical portion
of the facial vein receives the submental, tonsillar, external palatine, lingual,
submandibular, pharyngeal and superior thyroid veins.

Drainage

Below the mandibular angle, the facial vein pierces the deep investing cervical fascia
and unites with the anterior branch of the retromandibular vein to form the
common facial vein. The common facial vein descends superficial to the loop of the
lingual artery, the hypoglossal nerve and external and internal carotid arteries, and
goes on to drain into the internal jugular vein, roughly at the level of the hyoid
bone. Occasionally, the common facial vein may cross over the sternocleidomastoid
muscle and drain into the external or anterior jugular vein.

If you want to learn more about the neurovasculature of the head and neck, check
out the study unit below and explore our articles, quizzes, video tutorials and
labelled diagrams.

Neurovasculature of the neck

Explore study unit

Clinical significance

Thrombosis of the cavernous sinus

The facial vein communicates with the cavernous sinus via the angular vein.
This is a fact of great clinical significance, because any infection of the region
of the face drained by the facial vein can spread to the cavernous sinus,
resulting in a serious condition called thrombosis of the cavernous sinus.
Infection of the facial vein that spreads to the dural venous sinuses may
occur as a result of a nasal abscess or after squeezing a large pustule
(pimple) on the side of the nose and upper lip. This is why the area from the
corners of the mouth to the bridge of the nose is deemed the danger
triangle of the face.

Sources

All content published on Kenhub is reviewed by medical and anatomy experts. The
information we provide is grounded on academic literature and peer-reviewed research.
Kenhub does not provide medical advice. You can learn more about our content creation
and review standards by reading our content quality guidelines.

References:

Moore, K. L., Dalley, A. F., & Agur, A. M. R. (2014). Clinically Oriented Anatomy (7th ed.).
Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Netter, F. (2019). Atlas of Human Anatomy (7th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Saunders.
Standring, S. (2016). Gray's Anatomy (41tst ed.). Edinburgh: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone.
Sinnatamby, C. S., & Last, R. J. (2011). Last's anatomy: Regional and applied. (12th edition).
Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.
Tubbs, R. S., Shoja, M. M., Loukas, M., & Bergman, R. A. (2016). Bergmans comprehensive
encyclopedia of human anatomic variation. Hoboken: Wiley Blackwell.

Illustrations:

Facial vein (vena facialis) - Yousun Koh

Facial vein: want to learn more about it?

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