(ON THE RIGHT SIDE ONLY) Identify the arteries, veins and cutaneous branches of the trigeminal nerve (refer to the interactive photo above for illustrations of the arteries of the face and cutaneous, trigeminal nerve distribution).
- Identify the
facial artery lateral to the mouth. (G 7.12;N 3;Gl 34.5) The facial artery typically has a superficial loop at this location. Trace the facial artery in the superior direction. Identify the
superior labial artery and attempt to identify the
lateral nasal and angular (the terminal branch)
arteries. (G Table 7.3;N 3;Gl 34.5) Trace the facial artery in the inferior direction until it crosses the mandible. Identify the
inferior labial artery.
Important Relationship
- The facial artery passes lateral (superficial) to the mandible (body).
- Identify the
facial vein posterior to the facial artery. (G 7.12;N 3;Gl 34.10) Trace the facial vein in the superior direction towards the lateral aspect of the nose.
Important Relationship
- On the face, the facial vein is positioned posterior to the facial artery.
- Identify the superficial temporal artery and superficial temporal vein anterior to the ear and superior to the parotid gland. (G 7.12;N 3;Gl 34.21) Identify the auriculotemporal nerve adjacent to the superficial temporal artery. (G 7.12;N 2;Gl 34.21)
- Identify the parotid duct. Attempt to identify the transverse facial artery immediately superior to the parotid duct. (G 7.12;N 3;Gl 34.20)
- Reflect the frontalis muscle and identify the supraorbital nerve and artery. (G 7.15 & Table 7.3;N 3 & 2;Gl 35.10) If time permits, attempt to identify the supratrochlear, infratrochlear, external nasal, zygomaticofacial and zygomaticotemporal nerves.
- Identify the infraorbital nerve and artery deep to the levator labii superioris muscle. (G 7.15;N 3 and 2;Gl 35.10) Attempt to identify the (long) buccal nerve at this time emerging from deep to the anterior border of the masseter near the parotid duct.
- Reflect the lower lip and identify the mental nerve and artery. (G 7.15;N 3 and 2;Gl 34.20) The nerve and artery typically emerge from the mental foramen in line with the first premolar.
