by the upper buccal branch of the facial nerve.

It
supplies the parotid gland and its duct, masseter
and the overlying skin, and ends by anastomosing
with neighbouring arteries (Fig. 2.21).
Veins of the Face
1.The veins of the face accompany the arteries
and drain into the common facial and
retro-mandibular veins. They communicate
with the cavernous sinus.
2.The veins on each side form a 'W-shaped'
arrangement Each corner of the 'W is
prolonged upwards into the scalp and downwards
into the neck (Figs 2.22, 2.23).
3.The facial vein is the largest vein of the face with
no valves. It begins as the angular vein at the
medial angle of the eye. It is formed by the
union of the supratrochlear and supraorbital
veins. The angular vein continues as the facial
vein, running downwards and backwards behind
the facial artery, but with a straighter course. It
crosses the anteroinferior angle of the masseter,
pierces the deep fascia, crosses the
submandibular gland, and joins the anterior
division of the retromandibular vein below the
angle of the mandible to form the common facial
vein. The latter drains into the internal jugular
vein. It is represented by a line drawn just behind
the facial artery.
The other veins are described with the scalp.
4. Deep connections of the facial vein include: (a)
A communication between the supraorbital and
superior ophthalmic veins, and (b) another with the
pterygoid plexus through the deep facial vein which
passes backwards over the buccinator. The facial
vein communicates with the cavernous sinus through
these connections. Infections from the face can
spread in a retrograde direction and cause thrombosis
of the cavernous sinus. This is specially likely to
occur in the presence of infection in the upper lip and
in the lower part of the nose. This area is, therefore,
called the dangerous area of the face (Fig. 2.24).
Lymphatic Drainage of the Face
The face has three lymphatic territories: (a) The
upper territory, including the greater part of the
forehead, the lateral halves of the eyelids, the
conjunctiva, the lateral part of the cheek and the
parotid area, drains into the preauricular parotid
nodes, (b) The middle territory, including a strip over
the median part of the forehead, the external nose,
the upper lip, the lateral part of the lower lip, the
medial halves of the eyelids, the medial part of the
cheek, and the greater part of the lower jaw, drains
into the submandibular nodes, (c) The lower territory,
including the central part of the lower lip and the
chin, drains into the submental nodes (Fig. 2.25).
Labial, Buccal and Molar Mucous Glands
The labial and buccal mucous glands are numerous.
They lie in the submucosa of the lips and cheeks. The
molar mucous glands, four or five, lie on the
buccopharyngeal fascia around the parotid duct. All
these glands open into the vestibule of the mouth
(Fig. 2.26).
__________EYELIDS OR PALPEBRAE__________
The upper and lower eyelids are movable curtains
which protect the eyes from foreign bodies and bright
Cavernous sinus / ~v\ , Superficial
Supraorbital vein
Supratrochlear vein \
Angular vein
temporal vein
Retromandibular vein and its
anterior division
----- External jugular vein
,- Subclavian vein
Fig. 2.22: The veins of the face and their deep connections with the
cavernous sinus and the pterygoid Common facial vein--------- "= *"\. plexus of
veins.
Internal jugular vein "'
Posterior auricular vein
------ {- Posterior division of retromandibular
vein
Maxillary vein---------Z_
Facial vein _;rrk___
Deep facial vein--------- y -
Pterygoid plexus