When we talk, laugh, and eat, the muscles in our face work so hard, don't they? Just think, the energy needed for all this, that is, oxygen and nutrition, must be delivered to these muscles at the right time. To do that valuable work, there is a special blood vessel system inside our face. A very important and key member of this system is the "Facial Artery". You may not have heard this name before, but it is indispensable for the health of your face. Today, let's talk about everything about this Facial Artery.
Simply put, what is the Facial Artery?
The Facial Artery is a major artery that runs through a large area of your neck and face. Like a main water pipe that brings water to our homes, this artery supplies clean blood to many parts of the face. There are two Facial Arteries on each side of your face, one on the right and one on the left. These end at the sides of your nose and mouth.
In the past, doctors also called this artery ``(external maxillary artery)``. So if you ever hear that name, remember that it refers to the same thing as the Facial Artery.
What parts of the face are supplied with blood by this artery?
This is a very important question. This artery supplies blood to many of the superficial parts of our face. That is, it is the one that gives life to several areas that are essential to the appearance and function of our face.
See the list below:
- To many of the muscles in your face: This is the one that supplies blood to the muscles that express facial emotions when you smile, get angry, or are surprised.
- The roof of the mouth: How important is the roof of the mouth when we eat and talk? It also gets its blood supply from here.
- Tonsils: The tonsils in the throat.
- For cheeks: This also contributes to the healthy appearance of your cheeks.
- To the chin:
- Lips (lower lip and upper lip): This artery also supplies blood to beautiful, healthy lips.
- To the nose:
- For the salivary glands:
In particular, if a part of the face has to be removed during surgery due to a condition such as head or neck cancer, surgeons often rely on the blood supply of this facial artery to reconstruct the area. That's how important it is.
Where is the Facial Artery located?
Imagine, this artery travels like a river.
That journey begins at the side of your neck . It starts there, runs over your jawbone , curves up across your cheekbone, and ends just below your eye .
This Facial Artery is actually a branch of another large artery. That large artery is called the `(external carotid artery)`. This is a major artery that runs up and down the neck. But very rarely, in some people, this `(external carotid artery)` may not be present. In that case, the Facial Artery may start from the `(internal carotid artery)` or the `(common carotid artery)`. Also, sometimes it may start from the same place as the `(lingual artery)`, the artery that supplies blood to the tongue. These are the small differences in the body.
Parts and branches of the Facial Artery
This main artery has many small branches that branch off from it, like branches from a tree trunk. These branches carry blood to different parts of the face. These branches can be divided into two main parts.
| The place where the branch divides | Branch names |
|---|---|
| Branches that separate at the neck |
|
| Branches that separate in the facial area |
How does this artery look?
A special feature of the Facial Artery is its tortuous nature . That is, it is not like a straight tube. It is slightly twisted and curved. There is a reason for this. When we eat, talk, and smile, our jaws and cheeks move. At that time, the artery is designed to be able to stretch and bend without being damaged.
Like other arteries, this one is like a tube with a hole inside. Blood travels through that hole. The wall of this artery is made up of three layers. The muscles in it can expand and contract the size of the hole inside as needed.
What conditions affect the Facial Artery?
Like other blood vessels in our body, the Facial Artery can be affected by various medical conditions. It is important to be aware of some of these.
| Medical condition | Simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Temporal Arteritis (Giant Cell Arteritis) | This is a condition in which the arteries become swollen and inflamed. It mainly affects the arteries on both sides of the head, but can sometimes affect the Facial Artery as well. |
| Atherosclerosis | The Carotid Artery, the main artery that supplies blood to the Facial Artery, can become clogged with fat and cholesterol, narrowing the blood flow. This reduces the amount of blood that reaches the Facial Artery. |
| Complications of Cosmetic Injections / Fillers | This is something that needs to be taken very seriously these days. If injections, such as facial fillers, accidentally enter this artery or put pressure on it, the blood supply to that area can be completely cut off. This is a very dangerous situation. |
What are the common symptoms of these conditions?
If there is a problem with your Facial Artery, the following symptoms may occur:
- Tongue pain: Pain when using the tongue, especially when eating.
- Double vision: A change in vision, where one image appears to be two.
- Fatigue: Feeling more tired than usual.
- Pain at the site of the filler injection: If you have received a cosmetic injection, you may experience unusual, severe pain at the site.
- Blue or gray skin where the filler was injected: This is a very dangerous sign. This means that the tissue in that area is dying because it is not getting enough blood. If you see something like this, you should see a doctor immediately.
Remember, if you have a stroke or a mini-stroke (Transient Ischemic Attack - TIA), the cause is often due to atherosclerosis in the Carotid Artery, which supplies blood to the Facial Artery.
How to check the health of the Facial Artery?
If your doctor has any doubts about this artery, they can check its condition through a few simple, painless tests.
- Ultrasound scan: This uses high-frequency sound waves to examine the flow of blood inside the artery and the condition of the artery walls.
- CT scan (Computed Tomography - CT scan): This method uses a combination of X-rays and computer technology to produce detailed images of the artery and surrounding tissues.
- Blood tests: Sometimes, blood tests may be done to look for inflammation or things like cholesterol levels.
What are the treatments for this?
Treatment depends on your medical condition.
- For Temporal Arteritis: Medications such as corticosteroids are given to reduce swelling and inflammation in the arteries.
- For Cosmetic Filler Complications:
- Tapping, gently massaging, or applying heat to the injection site.
- Injecting another injection (dissolving agent) that can dissolve and remove the injected filler.
- For Atherosclerosis:
- Medicines to lower your cholesterol levels.
- Medicines that prevent blood clotting (e.g. Aspirin).
- Lifestyle changes (diet, exercise).
How to keep your facial artery healthy?
There's nothing special you can do about it. The same things you do to keep your heart and every other blood vessel in your body healthy are also good for your Facial Artery. Simply put, it's about living a healthy lifestyle.
- Avoid tobacco products completely: Smoking is the biggest damage you can do to blood vessels.
- Limit alcohol consumption: It is best to reduce it as much as possible.
- Eat a healthy diet: Aim for a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
- Reduce salt intake: Excessive salt intake is not good for blood pressure.
- Exercise more days a week: Even something as simple as walking for 30 minutes a day can go a long way.
We don't even think about this tiny artery that supplies blood to all of these things when we move our mouths and cheeks. However, it is this Facial Artery that ensures that the lower part of your face gets the oxygen it needs to function properly. Therefore, regularly meeting with your doctor and getting regular health checkups will help keep all of your arteries healthy.
Take-Home Message
- The Facial Artery is the artery that mainly supplies blood to parts of your face, such as your cheeks, lips, nose, and chin.
- Symptoms such as jaw pain and vision changes may indicate a problem with this artery.
- If you are getting cosmetic injections, especially fillers, make sure to only have them done by a qualified, experienced doctor . It can be very dangerous if you accidentally damage an artery.
- By avoiding smoking, eating a healthy diet, and exercising regularly , you can keep all of your blood vessels, including your facial artery, healthy.
- If you have any doubts, pain, or unusual symptoms in this regard, see your doctor immediately for advice.
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