Unusual branches of facial artery and their clinical significance

Abstract

The Present study was conducted in the Department of Anatomy Government Medical College Srinagar to observe the variations in the branching pattern of facial artery. The aim of this study was to make clinicians academically wiser and practically more competent while dealing with these anomalous branches during surgery and other interventional procedures. Bilateral head and neck dissection of a formalin preserved middle aged Indian male cadaver was done for routine teaching and simultaneously observations regarding the branching pattern of facial artery were recorded. It was observed that left facial artery gave an anomalous branch mid-way between the masseter and inferior labial artery. This anomalous branching pattern of facial artery though rare is of great academic and clinical significance in general practice, Otorhinology, Traumatology, Plastic and Maxillofacial surgery. These anomalies should be kept in mind and given due honour while operating and intervening in the region of face for emergency management of injuries, correction of congenital anomalies and while performing other general and specialized surgical procedures in this region.