Anatomy of the Face

10 Questions

Which nerve is responsible for supplying sensation to the small area over the angle of the mandible and the parotid gland?

Great auricular nerve

Which of the following arteries is responsible for supplying the submental region?

Facial artery

Which vein drains into the external jugular vein?

Posterior auricular vein

Which branch of the trigeminal nerve is responsible for supplying sensation to the orbit?

Ophthalmic nerve (V1)

Which of the following nerves is responsible for motor supply to the muscles of the face?

Facial nerve

What is the primary function of the orbital part of the Orbicularis Oculi muscle?

Closes the eyelids forcefully

Which of the following muscles originates from the maxilla and mandible in the midline?

Orbicularis Oris (deep part)

What is the primary function of the Buccinator muscle?

Presses the cheek against the teeth and compresses distended cheeks

Which nerve supplies the Orbicularis Oculi, Orbicularis Oris, and Buccinator muscles?

Facial nerve

Where does the palpebral part of the Orbicularis Oculi muscle insert?

Lateral palpebral raphe

Study Notes

Muscles of the Face

Orbicularis oculi muscle:
- Origin: medial palpebral ligament, nasal part of frontal bone, and frontal process of maxilla
- Insertion: lateral palpebral raphe, forms an uninterrupted ellipse around orbit
- Nerve supply: facial nerve
- Action: closes eyelids gently (palpebral part) and forcefully (orbital part)
Orbicularis oris muscle:
- Origin: superficial part from nearby muscles, deep part from maxilla and mandible in midline
- Insertion: forms an ellipse around mouth
- Nerve supply: facial nerve
- Action: closes and protrudes lips
Buccinator muscle:
- Origin: maxilla and mandible above and below 3 molars, pterygomandibular raphe
- Insertion: blends with orbicularis oris and into lips, upper and lower fibers pass to the opposite side, middle fibers cross at the angle of the mouth
- Nerve supply: facial nerve
- Action: presses cheek against teeth, compresses distended cheeks

Nerve Supply

Sensory supply:
- Supplied by branches of the 3 divisions of the trigeminal nerve (V1, V2, V3)
- Except for the small area over the angle of the mandible and the parotid gland, which is supplied by the great auricular nerve (C2 and 3)
Motor supply:
- Supplied by the facial nerve
V1 (ophthalmic):
- Supratrochlear
- Supraorbital
- Lacrimal
- Infratrochlear
- External nasal
V2 (maxillary):
- Infraorbital
- Zygomaticofacial
- Zygomaticotemporal
V3 (mandibular):
- Auriculotemporal
- Buccal
- Mental
- Small area over the angle of the mandible by the great auricular nerve

Blood Supply

Arterial supply:
- Facial artery
  - Submental
  - Inferior and superior labial
  - Angular
- Superficial temporal artery
  - Transverse facial
- Small arteries that accompany the sensory nerves of the face

Venous Drainage

Supratrochlear + supraorbital veins → anterior facial vein
Superficial temporal vein + maxillary vein → retromandibular vein
Posterior auricular vein + posterior division of the retromandibular vein → external jugular vein
Occipital vein drains into the suboccipital venous plexus

Lymphatic Drainage

Not mentioned in the text