{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,6]],"date-time":"2026-06-06T03:48:39Z","timestamp":1780717719835,"version":"3.54.1"},"reference-count":55,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"8","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2023,8,17]],"date-time":"2023-08-17T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1692230400000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Medicina"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Background and Objectives: The facial vein is the main collector of venous blood from the face. It plays an important role in physiological as well as pathological context. However, to date, only limited data on the course and tributaries of the facial vein are present in contemporary literature. The aim of this study was to provide detail on the course and the tributaries of the facial vein. Materials and Methods: In 96 sides of 53 body donors, latex was injected into the facial vein. Dissection was carried out and the facial vein and its tributaries (angular vein, ophthalmic vein, nasal veins, labial veins, palpebral veins, buccal and masseteric veins) were assessed. Results: The facial vein presented a textbook-like course in all cases and crossed the margin of the mandible anterior to the masseter in 6.8% of cases, while being located deep to the zygomaticus major muscle in all cases and deep to the zygomaticus minor in 94.6% of cases. Conclusions: This work offers detailed information on the course of the facial vein in relation to neighboring structures, which shows a relatively consistent pattern, as well as on its tributaries, which show a high variability.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/medicina59081479","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2023,8,17]],"date-time":"2023-08-17T10:15:48Z","timestamp":1692267348000},"page":"1479","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":13,"title":["The Course and Variation of the Facial Vein in the Face\u2014Known and Unknown Facts: An Anatomical Study"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"59","author":[{"given":"Martin","family":"Siwetz","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Division of Macroscopic and Clinical Anatomy, Gottfried Schatz Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 25, A-8036 Graz, Austria"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Hannes","family":"Widni-Pajank","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Division of Macroscopic and Clinical Anatomy, Gottfried Schatz Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 25, A-8036 Graz, Austria"},{"name":"Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Klagenfurt Am W\u00f6rthersee Clinic, Feschnigstra\u00dfe 11, A-9020 Klagenfurt am W\u00f6rthersee, Austria"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-8230-9383","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Niels","family":"Hammer","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Division of Macroscopic and Clinical Anatomy, Gottfried Schatz Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 25, A-8036 Graz, Austria"},{"name":"Department of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery, University of Leipzig, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany"},{"name":"Division of Biomechatronics, Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology Dresden, D-09126 Dresden, Germany"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Ulrike","family":"Pilsl","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Division of Macroscopic and Clinical Anatomy, Gottfried Schatz Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 25, A-8036 Graz, Austria"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-0812-197X","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Simon","family":"Bruneder","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 5, A-8036 Graz, Austria"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Andreas","family":"Wree","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Institute of Anatomy, Rostock University Medical Center, Gertrudenstr. 9, D-18057 Rostock, Germany"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-7631-9080","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Veronica","family":"Antipova","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Division of Macroscopic and Clinical Anatomy, Gottfried Schatz Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 25, A-8036 Graz, Austria"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2023,8,17]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"174","DOI":"10.1001\/jamadermatol.2020.5102","article-title":"Rates of Vascular Occlusion Associated With Using Needles vs Cannulas for Filler Injection","volume":"157","author":"Alam","year":"2021","journal-title":"JAMA Dermatol."},{"key":"ref_2","first-page":"E65","article-title":"Vascular Complications after Facial Filler Injection: A Literature Review and Meta-Analysis","volume":"12","author":"Sito","year":"2019","journal-title":"J. Clin. Aesthet. Dermatol."},{"key":"ref_3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"447","DOI":"10.1016\/j.fsc.2015.07.006","article-title":"Facial Filler Complications","volume":"23","author":"Woodward","year":"2015","journal-title":"Facial Plast. Surg. Clin. N. Am."},{"key":"ref_4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"539","DOI":"10.1055\/s-0029-1234025","article-title":"The Nasolabial Fold as Potential Vascular Receptor Site: An Anatomic Study","volume":"25","author":"Smit","year":"2009","journal-title":"J. Reconstr. Microsurg."},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1221","DOI":"10.1016\/j.bjps.2015.05.007","article-title":"Manson\u2019s Point: A Facial Landmark to Identify the Facial Artery","volume":"68","author":"Calva","year":"2015","journal-title":"J. Plast. Reconstr. Aesthet. Surg."},{"key":"ref_6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"64","DOI":"10.1097\/00000637-199707000-00011","article-title":"Anatomic Evaluation of the Facial Artery and Vein Using Color Doppler Ultrasonography","volume":"39","author":"Nagase","year":"1997","journal-title":"Ann. Plast. Surg."},{"key":"ref_7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"25","DOI":"10.1054\/bjom.1998.0301","article-title":"Anatomical Basis and Results of the Facial Artery Musculomucosal Flap for Oral Reconstruction","volume":"37","author":"Dupoirieux","year":"1999","journal-title":"Br. J. Oral Maxillofac. Surg."},{"key":"ref_8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"526","DOI":"10.1097\/PRS.0b013e31827c6f18","article-title":"Evaluation of the Facial Artery on Computed Tomographic Angiography Using 64-Slice Multidetector Computed Tomography: Implications for Facial Reconstruction in Plastic Surgery","volume":"131","author":"Furukawa","year":"2013","journal-title":"Plast. Reconstr. Surg."},{"key":"ref_9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"414","DOI":"10.1054\/ijom.2002.0372","article-title":"Branching Patterns and Symmetry of the Course of the Facial Artery in Koreans","volume":"32","author":"Koh","year":"2003","journal-title":"Int. J. Oral Maxillofac. Surg."},{"key":"ref_10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1151","DOI":"10.1093\/asj\/sjz028","article-title":"Anatomical Map of the Facial Artery for Facial Reconstruction and Aesthetic Procedures","volume":"39","author":"Koziej","year":"2019","journal-title":"Aesthet. Surg. J."},{"key":"ref_11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"631","DOI":"10.1148\/133.3.631","article-title":"Normal Functional Anatomy of the Facial Artery","volume":"133","author":"Lasjaunias","year":"1979","journal-title":"Radiology"},{"key":"ref_12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"99","DOI":"10.1002\/ca.23007","article-title":"The Facial Artery: A Comprehensive Anatomical Review","volume":"31","author":"Lee","year":"2018","journal-title":"Clin. Anat."},{"key":"ref_13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"184","DOI":"10.1097\/SAP.0b013e31822484ae","article-title":"The Course and Variation of the Facial Artery and Vein: Implications for Facial Transplantation and Facial Surgery","volume":"67","author":"Lohn","year":"2011","journal-title":"Ann. Plast. Surg."},{"key":"ref_14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"316","DOI":"10.1007\/s00276-006-0093-0","article-title":"A Detailed Observation of Variations of the Facial Artery, with Emphasis on the Superior Labial Artery","volume":"28","author":"Loukas","year":"2006","journal-title":"Surg. Radiol. Anat."},{"key":"ref_15","first-page":"45","article-title":"The Premasseteric Branch of Facial Artery: Its Importance for Craniofacial Surgery","volume":"19","author":"Senan","year":"2009","journal-title":"Turk. Neurosurg."},{"key":"ref_16","first-page":"399","article-title":"Bilateral Variation of Facial Artery: A Case Report","volume":"49","author":"Marx","year":"2008","journal-title":"Rom. J. Morphol. Embryol."},{"key":"ref_17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"99","DOI":"10.1007\/BF02421376","article-title":"A Contribution to the Study of the Facial Artery, Its Branches and Anastomoses; Application to the Anatomic Vascular Bases of Facial Flaps","volume":"8","author":"Midy","year":"1986","journal-title":"Surg. Radiol. Anat."},{"key":"ref_18","first-page":"339","article-title":"[Facial branches of the facial artery in adults. Typology, variations and respective cutaneous areas]","volume":"18","author":"Mitz","year":"1973","journal-title":"Ann. Chir. Plast."},{"key":"ref_19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1310","DOI":"10.4067\/S0717-95022019000401310","article-title":"An Anatomical Study of the Facial Artery","volume":"37","author":"Niemann","year":"2019","journal-title":"Int. J. Morphol."},{"key":"ref_20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e20190021","DOI":"10.1590\/1677-5449.190021","article-title":"Unusual Branching Pattern and Termination of Facial Artery and Its Clinical Implications for Facial Operations","volume":"18","author":"Padur","year":"2019","journal-title":"J. Vasc. Bras."},{"key":"ref_21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"203","DOI":"10.1097\/DSS.0000000000000599","article-title":"The Facial Artery-The Main Blood Vessel for the Anterior Face?","volume":"42","author":"Pilsl","year":"2016","journal-title":"Dermatol. Surg."},{"key":"ref_22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"330","DOI":"10.1002\/ca.20108","article-title":"Anatomic Study of the Blood Supply of Perioral Region","volume":"18","author":"Pinar","year":"2005","journal-title":"Clin. Anat."},{"key":"ref_23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"4928","DOI":"10.16965\/ijar.2017.510","article-title":"A Study on Course and Variations of Facial Artery on the Face","volume":"6","author":"Vasudha","year":"2018","journal-title":"IJAR"},{"key":"ref_24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Siwetz, M., Turnowsky, N., Hammer, N., Pretterklieber, M., Wree, A., and Antipova, V. (2021). A Rare Case of Facial Artery Branching\u2014A Review of the Literature and a Case Report with Clinical Implications. Medicina, 57.","DOI":"10.3390\/medicina57111172"},{"key":"ref_25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1346","DOI":"10.1097\/PRS.0000000000003382","article-title":"The Anatomy of the Facial Vein: Implications for Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Procedures","volume":"139","author":"Cotofana","year":"2017","journal-title":"Plast. Reconst. Surg."},{"key":"ref_26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Siwetz, M., Widni-Pajank, H., Hammer, N., Pilsl, U., Bruneder, S., Wree, A., and Antipova, V. (2023). New Insights into the Communications of the Facial Vein with the Dural Venous Sinuses. Medicina, 59.","DOI":"10.3390\/medicina59030609"},{"key":"ref_27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e183","DOI":"10.1097\/GOX.0000000000000134","article-title":"Facial Vein Variation: Implication for Facial Transplantation","volume":"2","author":"Bondaz","year":"2014","journal-title":"Plast. Reconstr. Surg. Glob. Open"},{"key":"ref_28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"49","DOI":"10.1097\/PRS.0b013e3182910a57","article-title":"Facial Soft-Tissue Spaces and Retaining Ligaments of the Midcheek: Defining the Premaxillary Space","volume":"132","author":"Wong","year":"2013","journal-title":"Plast. Reconst. Surg."},{"key":"ref_29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2219","DOI":"10.1097\/01.prs.0000265403.66886.54","article-title":"The Fat Compartments of the Face: Anatomy and Clinical Implications for Cosmetic Surgery","volume":"119","author":"Rohrich","year":"2007","journal-title":"Plast. Reconst. Surg."},{"key":"ref_30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"219S","DOI":"10.1097\/PRS.0000000000001837","article-title":"Midface: Clinical Anatomy and Regional Approaches with Injectable Fillers","volume":"136","author":"Cotofana","year":"2015","journal-title":"Plast. Reconst. Surg."},{"key":"ref_31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1292","DOI":"10.1016\/j.bjps.2012.04.047","article-title":"The Subcutaneous Fat Compartments in Relation to Aesthetically Important Facial Folds and Rhytides","volume":"65","author":"Gierloff","year":"2012","journal-title":"J. Plast. Reconstr. Aesthet. Surg."},{"key":"ref_32","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"301","DOI":"10.1111\/dsu.12431","article-title":"The Premaxillary Space: A Location for Filler Injection?","volume":"40","author":"Pilsl","year":"2014","journal-title":"Dermatol. Surg."},{"key":"ref_33","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"395","DOI":"10.1016\/j.cps.2008.02.003","article-title":"Surgical Anatomy of the Midcheek: Facial Layers, Spaces, and the Midcheek Segments","volume":"35","author":"Mendelson","year":"2008","journal-title":"Clin. Plast. Surg."},{"key":"ref_34","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1097","DOI":"10.1097\/DSS.0000000000000486","article-title":"Avoiding and Treating Blindness From Fillers: A Review of the World Literature","volume":"41","author":"Beleznay","year":"2015","journal-title":"Dermatol. Surg."},{"key":"ref_35","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"5","DOI":"10.1016\/S0140-6736(02)09361-3","article-title":"Face Transplantation\u2014Fantasy or the Future?","volume":"360","author":"Hettiaratchy","year":"2002","journal-title":"Lancet"},{"key":"ref_36","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"330","DOI":"10.1097\/01.TP.0000113810.54865.BE","article-title":"Facial Transplantation: A Working Party Report from the Royal College of Surgeons of England","volume":"77","author":"Morris","year":"2004","journal-title":"Transplantation"},{"key":"ref_37","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"203","DOI":"10.1016\/S0140-6736(09)61155-7","article-title":"Near-Total Human Face Transplantation for a Severely Disfigured Patient in the USA","volume":"374","author":"Siemionow","year":"2009","journal-title":"Lancet"},{"key":"ref_38","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"369","DOI":"10.1001\/archfaci.2009.80","article-title":"The Technical and Anatomical Aspects of the World\u2019s First Near-Total Human Face and Maxilla Transplant","volume":"11","author":"Alam","year":"2009","journal-title":"Arch. Facial Plast. Surg."},{"key":"ref_39","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Hafferl, A., and Thiel, W. (1969). Lehrbuch Der Topographischen Anatomie, Springer. [3rd ed.].","DOI":"10.1007\/978-3-642-87341-6"},{"key":"ref_40","unstructured":"Tandler, J. (1926). Lehrbuch Der Systematischen Anatomie. Das Gef\u00e4ss-System, Verlag von F.C.W. Vogel."},{"key":"ref_41","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"382","DOI":"10.61872\/sdj-2018-05-405","article-title":"The Face\u2014A Vascular Perspective. A Literature Review","volume":"128","author":"Tamura","year":"2018","journal-title":"Swiss Dent. J."},{"key":"ref_42","unstructured":"Drenckhahn, D., and Zenker, W. (1994). Benninghoff Anatomie Makroskopische Anatomie, Embryologie Und Histologie Des Menschen, Urban & Schwarzenberg. [15th ed.]."},{"key":"ref_43","unstructured":"Luschka, H. (1865). Die Anatomie Der Glieder Des Menschen, Verlag der, H. Laupp\u2019schen Buchhandlung."},{"key":"ref_44","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"74","DOI":"10.1002\/ase.1450","article-title":"Comparison of Modified Thiel Embalming and Ethanol-Glycerin Fixation in an Anatomy Environment: Potentials and Limitations of Two Complementary Techniques: Modified Thiel Complements Ethanol Fixation","volume":"8","author":"Hammer","year":"2015","journal-title":"Anat. Sci. Educ."},{"key":"ref_45","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"185","DOI":"10.1016\/S0940-9602(11)80346-8","article-title":"Die Konservierung Ganzer Leichen in Nat\u00fcrlichen Farben","volume":"174","author":"Thiel","year":"1992","journal-title":"Ann. Anat."},{"key":"ref_46","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1083","DOI":"10.1097\/PRS.0000000000000084","article-title":"Discussion: New Anatomical Insights on the Course and Branching Patterns of the Facial Artery","volume":"133","author":"Carruthers","year":"2014","journal-title":"Plast. Reconst. Surg."},{"key":"ref_47","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e21048","DOI":"10.1097\/MD.0000000000021048","article-title":"Variant Facial Artery Anatomy Revisited: Conventional Angiography Performed in 284 Cases","volume":"99","author":"Hong","year":"2020","journal-title":"Medicine"},{"key":"ref_48","unstructured":"Hollenstein, L. (1865). Lehrbuch Der Anatomie Des Menschen, E. H. Schroeder. [4th ed.]."},{"key":"ref_49","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"649.e1","DOI":"10.1016\/j.joms.2016.11.018","article-title":"Anatomical Study and Clinical Application of Facial Artery Perforator Flaps in Intraoral Reconstruction: Focusing on Venous System","volume":"75","author":"Zhou","year":"2017","journal-title":"J. Oral Maxillofac. Surg."},{"key":"ref_50","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"433","DOI":"10.1016\/j.bjps.2016.11.023","article-title":"Venous Drainage of the Face","volume":"70","author":"Onishi","year":"2017","journal-title":"J. Plast. Reconstr. Aesthet. Surg."},{"key":"ref_51","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2287","DOI":"10.1097\/00006534-200006000-00001","article-title":"The Angiosomes of the Head and Neck: Anatomic Study and Clinical Applications","volume":"105","author":"Houseman","year":"2000","journal-title":"Plast. Reconstr. Surg."},{"key":"ref_52","first-page":"29","article-title":"Relationship of the facial vein with the submandibular gland","volume":"15","author":"Molinari","year":"1997","journal-title":"Rev. Chilena Anat."},{"key":"ref_53","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"183","DOI":"10.1002\/ca.22143","article-title":"Venous Architecture of the Glabellar to the Forehead Region","volume":"26","author":"Shimizu","year":"2013","journal-title":"Clin. Anat."},{"key":"ref_54","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"151808","DOI":"10.1016\/j.aanat.2021.151808","article-title":"Superior Labial Artery and Vein Anastomosis Configuration to Be Considered in Lip Augmentation","volume":"239","author":"Yamamoto","year":"2022","journal-title":"Ann. Anat."},{"key":"ref_55","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"618","DOI":"10.1097\/DSS.0000000000000700","article-title":"Novel Anatomic Description of the Course of the Inferior Palpebral Vein for Minimally Invasive Aesthetic Treatments","volume":"42","author":"Lee","year":"2016","journal-title":"Dermatol. Surg."}],"container-title":["Medicina"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/1648-9144\/59\/8\/1479\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,10]],"date-time":"2025-10-10T20:35:59Z","timestamp":1760128559000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/1648-9144\/59\/8\/1479"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2023,8,17]]},"references-count":55,"journal-issue":{"issue":"8","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2023,8]]}},"alternative-id":["medicina59081479"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/medicina59081479","relation":{},"ISSN":["1648-9144"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1648-9144","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2023,8,17]]}}}