Branching Patterns of Facial Artery in Fetuses

The facial artery is the major artery that supplies structures of the face. Locations and variations of the facial artery and its branches must be known by plastic surgeons to obtain good results in child face surgery. Therefore, we examined the location of facial artery and its branches. In this study, fetus preserved cadavers were examined in the anatomy laboratory. We investigated the patterns of the facial artery and its branches bilaterally in 16 fetuses (total 25 facial arteries). We categorized the facial artery and its branches according to their terminated branches. In this study, we described three types of facial artery distributions in fetuses. In Type I, it was terminated as an angular artery; in Type II, it was ended as superior labial artery; and in Type III, it was terminated as an inferior labial artery. A few studies exist related to the potential course of the facial artery and its branches in fetuses or children; therefore, we planned to study the variations in the course of facial artery and its branches. The awareness on the existence of variations in the itinerary of the facial artery by surgeons and radiologists is critical to avoid complications such as bleeding and speed up healing process after routine or reconstructive surgical procedures.