Case report of unique anastomosis between facial and inferior alveolar arteries.

PURPOSE: Understanding anatomical variations of the facial artery and its branches is important for dental and medical practitioners.

METHODS

Routine cadaveric dissection of the head and neck was performed to demonstrate the origin and branches of the facial artery.

RESULTS

Facial artery emerged from a common linguofacial trunk off the external carotid artery. On the face, the facial artery first gave off a pre-masseteric branch. Immediately after, an aberrant artery emerged from the facial artery that coursed along the ramus of the mandible, which upon further dissection and examination was found to anastomose with inferior alveolar artery within the ramus of the mandible.

CONCLUSIONS

We report a unique anastomosis between facial and inferior alveolar arteries, vessels that have not been previously shown to communicate. This case report may provide useful information for oral and maxillofacial surgeons as well as dentists performing inferior alveolar nerve blocks.