Retromandibular vein

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Retromandibular vein
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Veins of the head and neck
(retromandibular vein visible at center).
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Dissection, showing salivary glands of right side (retromandibular vein visible at bottom center).
Details
Source Superficial temporal vein,
maxillary veins
Drains to External jugular vein
Artery Facial artery
Identifiers
Latin vena retromandibularis,
vena facialis posterior
TA98 A12.3.05.031
TA2 4831
FMA 50928
Anatomical terminology

The retromandibular vein (temporomaxillary vein, posterior facial vein) is a major vein of the face. It is formed within the parotid gland by the confluence of the maxillary vein, and superficial temporal vein. It descends in the gland and splits into two branches upon emerging from the gland. Its anterior branch then joins the (anterior) facial vein forming the common facial vein, while its posterior branch joins the posterior auricular vein forming the external jugular vein.

Contents

Anatomy

Origin

The retromandibular vein is formed within the parotid gland [1] by the confluence of the maxillary vein, and superficial temporal vein. [1] [2] [3]

Course

It descends inside parotid gland, [1] [4] superficial to the external carotid artery (but beneath the facial nerve), [4] between the sternocleidomastoideus muscle and ramus of mandible.[ citation needed ] It emerges from the parotid gland inferiorly, then immediately divides into two branches: [1]

Function

The retromandibular vein provides venous drainage to the superior cranium, and significant drainage to the ear. [7]

Clinical significance

Parrot's sign is a sensation of pain when pressure is applied to the retromandibular region.[ citation needed ]

Additional images

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glossopharyngeal nerve</span> Cranial nerve IX, for the tongue and pharynx

The glossopharyngeal nerve, also known as the ninth cranial nerve, cranial nerve IX, or simply CN IX, is a cranial nerve that exits the brainstem from the sides of the upper medulla, just anterior to the vagus nerve. Being a mixed nerve (sensorimotor), it carries afferent sensory and efferent motor information. The motor division of the glossopharyngeal nerve is derived from the basal plate of the embryonic medulla oblongata, whereas the sensory division originates from the cranial neural crest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Great auricular nerve</span> Cutaneous nerve of the head

The great auricular nerve is a cutaneous (sensory) nerve of the head. It originates from the second and third cervical (spinal) nerves (C2-C3) of the cervical plexus. It provides sensory innervation to the skin over the parotid gland and the mastoid process, parts of the outer ear, and to the parotid gland and its fascia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Subclavian artery</span> Major arteries of the upper thorax, below the clavicle

In human anatomy, the subclavian arteries are paired major arteries of the upper thorax, below the clavicle. They receive blood from the aortic arch. The left subclavian artery supplies blood to the left arm and the right subclavian artery supplies blood to the right arm, with some branches supplying the head and thorax. On the left side of the body, the subclavian comes directly off the aortic arch, while on the right side it arises from the relatively short brachiocephalic artery when it bifurcates into the subclavian and the right common carotid artery.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Parotid gland</span> Major salivary gland in many animals

The parotid gland is a major salivary gland in many animals. In humans, the two parotid glands are present on either side of the mouth and in front of both ears. They are the largest of the salivary glands. Each parotid is wrapped around the mandibular ramus, and secretes serous saliva through the parotid duct into the mouth, to facilitate mastication and swallowing and to begin the digestion of starches. There are also two other types of salivary glands; they are submandibular and sublingual glands. Sometimes accessory parotid glands are found close to the main parotid glands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">External carotid artery</span> Major artery of the head and neck

The external carotid artery is the major artery of the head and upper neck. It arises from the common carotid artery. It terminates by splitting into the superficial temporal and maxillary artery within the parotid gland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scalp</span> Anatomical area bordered by the face at the front, and by the neck at the sides and back

The scalp is the area of the head where head hair grows. It is made up of skin, layers of connective and fibrous tissues, and the membrane of the skull. Anatomically, the scalp is part of the epicranium, a collection of structures covering the cranium. The scalp is bordered by the face at the front, and by the neck at the sides and back. The scientific study of hair and scalp is called trichology.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">External jugular vein</span> Large blood vessel

The external jugular vein receives the greater part of the blood from the exterior of the cranium and the deep parts of the face, being formed by the junction of the posterior division of the retromandibular vein with the posterior auricular vein.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Auriculotemporal nerve</span> Branch of the mandibular nerve

The auriculotemporal nerve is a sensory branch of the mandibular nerve (CN V3) that runs with the superficial temporal artery and vein, and provides sensory innervation to parts of the external ear, scalp, and temporomandibular joint. The nerve also conveys post-ganglionic parasympathetic fibres from the otic ganglion to the parotid gland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Platysma muscle</span> Human neck muscle

The platysma muscle is a superficial muscle of the human neck that overlaps the sternocleidomastoid. It covers the anterior surface of the neck superficially. When it contracts, it produces a slight wrinkling of the neck, and a "bowstring" effect on either side of the neck.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Facial artery</span> Blood vessel supplying blood to the superficial face

The facial artery is a branch of the external carotid artery that supplies structures of the superficial face.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anterior jugular vein</span>

The anterior jugular vein is a vein in the neck.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pterygoid plexus</span>

The pterygoid plexus is a fine venous plexus upon and within the lateral pterygoid muscle. It drains by a short maxillary vein.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Superficial temporal vein</span>

The superficial temporal vein is a vein of the side of the head which collects venous blood from the region of the temple. It arises from an anastomosing venous plexus on the side and top of the head. The superficial temporal vein terminates within the substance of the parotid gland by uniting with the maxillary vein to form the retromandibular vein.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Posterior auricular vein</span> Vein of the head

The posterior auricular vein is a vein of the head. It begins from a plexus with the occipital vein and the superficial temporal vein, descends behind the auricle, and drains into the external jugular vein.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Deep cervical fascia</span>

The deep cervical fascia lies under cover of the platysma, and invests the muscles of the neck; it also forms sheaths for the carotid vessels, and for the structures situated in front of the vertebral column. Its attachment to the hyoid bone prevents the formation of a dewlap.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mandibular notch</span> Groove in the ramus of the mandible

The mandibular notch, also known as the sigmoid notch, is a groove in the ramus of the mandible. It is the gap between the coronoid process anteriorly and the condyloid process posteriorly.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Submandibular triangle</span>

The submandibular triangle corresponds to the region of the neck immediately beneath the body of the mandible.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pretracheal fascia</span>

The pretracheal fascia is a layer of the deep cervical fascia at the front of the neck. It attaches to the hyoid bone above, and - extending down into the thorax - blends with the fibrous pericardium below. It encloses the thyroid gland and parathyroid glands, trachea, and esophagus. It extends medially in front of the carotid vessels. It assists in forming the carotid sheath.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buccopharyngeal fascia</span>

The buccopharyngeal fascia is a fascia of the pharynx. It represents the posterior portion of the pretracheal fascia. It covers the superior pharyngeal constrictor muscles, and buccinator muscle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anterior auricular muscle</span> Muscle connectingthe epicranial aponeurosis to the helix of the ear

The anterior auricular muscle, the smallest of the three auricular muscles, is thin and fan-shaped, and its fibers are pale and indistinct. It arises from the lateral edge of the epicranial aponeurosis, and its fibers converge to be inserted into a projection on the front of the helix.

References

PD-icon.svgThis article incorporates text in the public domain from page 646 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)

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