veins of the face and scalp + lymphatic drainage of face and scalp

where is the anterior facial vein formed?

it is formed at the median angle of the eye by the union of the supratrochlear and supraorbital veins

what is the course of the anterior facial vein?

it runs along the facial artery, following a straighter path and lying posterior to the artery. at the lower border of the mandible, it pierces the deep fascia and joins the anterior branch of the retromandibular (posterior facial vein) vein to form the common facial vein.

what does the anterior facial vein receive throughout its course?

it receives tributaries corresponding to the branches of the facial artery on the face

what forms the posterior facial vein (retromandibular)?

it is formed in the upper part of the parotid gland by the union of the maxillary vein with the superficial temporal vein

what is the course of the posterior facial vein (retromandibular)?

it descends through the substance of the parotid gland, where it receives tributaries from the middle temporal and transverse facial veins. the vein then divides into an anterior and posterior division as it exits the lower end of the parotid gland

what does the anterior division of the retromandibular vein join with to form?

it joins the anterior facial vein to form the common facial vein, which drains into the internal jugular vein

what does the posterior division of the retromandibular vein join with to form?

the posterior auricular vein descends behind the auricle and joins with the posterior division of the retromandibular vein over the sternocleidomastoid muscle to form the external jugular vein, which then drains into the subclavian vein

what is the course of the occipital vein?

it descends alongside the occipital artery, draining into the suboccipital venous plexus, which lies deep to the semispinalis capitis muscle

what are the tributaries of the facial vein?

1. supraorbital vein

2. supratrochlear vein

3. lateral nasal vein

4. superior labial vein

5. inferior labial vein

6. submental vein

what are the two main groups the lymph nodes of the face and scalp are arranged in?

1. cervical lymph nodes, which are further divided into:

   • superficial lymph nodes, located along the inferior thyroid vessels

   • deep lymph nodes, found deep to the sternocleidomastoid muscle

2. circular lymph nodes, which are found around the junction between the head and neck and are arranged into several groups

where does the side of the scalp and the face drain into?

they drain into the parotid lymph node, located in front of the tragus, which then drain into the submandibular lymph nodes

where does the front of the scalp, forehead, and external nose drain into?

they drain into the buccal lymph nodes, which then drain into the submandibular lymph nodes (along the facial artery)

where does the medial part of the cheek, the upper lip and the lateral parts of the lower lips drain into?

they drain directly into the submandibular nodes

where does the central part of the lower lip drain into?

it drains into the submental lymph node (behind the chin)

where does the submandibular and submental lymph nodes drain into?

they drain into the deep cervical lymph nodes

where are the occipital lymph nodes located, and where do they drain?

they are located along the superior nuchal line, draining into the back of the scalp

where are the posterior auricular lymph nodes located, and where do they drain?

they are located on the mastoid process, and the drain the side of the scalp, back of the auricle and the external acoustic meatus