GEN ANA2:FACE

• The face is often referred to as the "window of the soul" and has movable skin for facial expressions
• The skin of the face contains numerous sweat and sebaceous glands
• No deep fascia is present in the face
• The sensory nerves of the face are innervated by the trigeminal nerve, which has 3 divisions: V1 (ophthalmic division), V2 (maxillary division), and V3 (mandibular division)
• Trigeminal nerve sensory branches to the face:

  • V1 (ophthalmic) to skin above the orbit: Lacrimal, Supraorbital, Supratrochlear, Infratrochlear, External Nasal Nerve
  • V2 (maxillary) to skin of cheek below the orbit: Zygomaticotemporal, Zygomaticofacial, Infraorbital
  • V3 (mandibular) to skin of jaw and face below the angle of the mouth: Auriculotemporal, Buccal, Mental
• The face receives arterial blood supply from the facial and superficial temporal arteries
• Facial artery:

  • Arises from the anterior side of the external carotid artery
  • Courses first medial to the mandible then anterior
  • Site of Facial Pulse
• Superficial Temporal artery:

  • Arises anterior to the external auditory meatus, deep to the parotid gland
  • Has many branches to the scalp
• The facial vein is formed at the medial angle of the eye by the union of the supraorbital and supratrochlear veins
• Venous drainage of the face:

  • Facial vein is connected to the cavernous sinus via the superior ophthalmic vein
  • Prolonged infections can spread via veins to the cavernous sinus, leading to clinical signs like 'blurred' vision
• Lymph drainage of the face:

  • Lymph from the forehead and anterior part of the face drains into the submandibular lymph nodes
  • Lateral parts of the face drain into the parotid lymph nodes
  • Central part of the lower lip and skin of the chin drain into the submental lymph nodes