Retromandibular vein

The retromandibular vein (temporomaxillary vein, posterior facial vein) is a major vein of the face. It is formed within the parotid gland by the confluence of the maxillary vein, and superficial temporal vein. It descends in the gland and splits into two branches upon emerging from the gland. Its anterior branch then joins the (anterior) facial vein forming the common facial vein, while its posterior branch joins the posterior auricular vein forming the external jugular vein.

Posterior facial vein
Veins of the head and neck
(retromandibular vein visible at center).
Dissection, showing salivary glands of right side (retromandibular vein visible at bottom center).
Details
SourceSuperficial temporal vein,
maxillary veins
Drains toExternal jugular vein
ArteryFacial artery
Identifiers
LatinVena retromandibularis,
vena facialis posterior
TA98A12.3.05.031
TA24831
FMA50928
Anatomical terminology

Anatomy

Origin

The retromandibular vein is formed within the parotid gland[1] by the confluence of the maxillary vein, and superficial temporal vein.[1][2][3]

Course

It descends inside parotid gland,[1][4] superficial to the external carotid artery (but beneath the facial nerve),[4] between the sternocleidomastoideus muscle and ramus of mandible. It emerges from the parotid gland inferiorly, then immediately divides into two branches:[1]

Function

The retromandibular vein provides venous drainage to the superior cranium, and significant drainage to the ear.[7]

Clinical significance

Parrot's sign is a sensation of pain when pressure is applied to the retromandibular region.

Additional images
  • Lateral head anatomy detail
    Lateral head anatomy detail

References

Public domain This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 646 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)

  1. Sinnatamby, Chummy S. (2011). Last's Anatomy (12th ed.). p. 364. ISBN 978-0-7295-3752-0.
  2. Thompson, Stevan H.; Yeung, Alison Y. (2016-01-01), Hupp, James R.; Ferneini, Elie M. (eds.), "4 - Anatomy Relevant to Head, Neck, and Orofacial Infections", Head, Neck, and Orofacial Infections, St. Louis: Elsevier, pp. 60–93, doi:10.1016/b978-0-323-28945-0.00004-1, ISBN 978-0-323-28945-0, retrieved 2020-11-11
  3. Cunningham, Larry L.; Card, Aaron Sterling (2012-01-01), Bagheri, Shahrokh C.; Bell, R. Bryan; Khan, Husain Ali (eds.), "Chapter 38 - Mandibular Subcondylar Fractures", Current Therapy In Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Saint Louis: W.B. Saunders, pp. 298–304, doi:10.1016/b978-1-4160-2527-6.00038-4, ISBN 978-1-4160-2527-6, retrieved 2020-11-11
  4. Loukota, Richard A.; Abdel-Galil, Khalid (2017-01-01), Brennan, Peter A.; Schliephake, Henning; Ghali, G. E.; Cascarini, Luke (eds.), "6 - Condylar Fractures", Maxillofacial Surgery (Third Edition), Churchill Livingstone, pp. 74–92, doi:10.1016/b978-0-7020-6056-4.00006-x, ISBN 978-0-7020-6056-4, retrieved 2020-11-11
  5. Cramer, Gregory D. (2014-01-01), Cramer, Gregory D.; Darby, Susan A. (eds.), "Chapter 5 - The Cervical Region", Clinical Anatomy of the Spine, Spinal Cord, and Ans (Third Edition), Saint Louis: Mosby, pp. 135–209, doi:10.1016/b978-0-323-07954-9.00005-0, ISBN 978-0-323-07954-9, retrieved 2020-11-11
  6. Drake, Richard L. (Richard Lee), 1950- (2005). Gray's anatomy for students. Vogl, Wayne., Mitchell, Adam W. M., Gray, Henry, 1825-1861. Philadelphia: Elsevier/Churchill Livingstone. ISBN 0-443-06612-4. OCLC 55139039.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  7. Posnick, Jeffrey C. (2014-01-01), Posnick, Jeffrey C. (ed.), "39 - Aesthetic Alteration of Prominent Ears: Evaluation and Surgery", Orthognathic Surgery, St. Louis: W.B. Saunders, pp. 1703–1745, doi:10.1016/b978-1-4557-2698-1.00039-3, ISBN 978-1-4557-2698-1, retrieved 2020-11-11


This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.