The transverse facial artery crosses the cheek horizontally as a branch of the superficial temporal artery, contributing to the blood supply of the parotid gland, masseter muscle, and cheek skin. It lies immediately below the parotid duct and above the buccal branch of the facial nerve. Its consistent position makes it a landmark during parotidectomy and cheek approaches in facial fracture surgery.
| Origin | Superficial temporal artery within the parotid gland |
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The transverse facial artery and the parotid duct both lie just below the zygomatic arch and must be identified during parotid and cheek surgical approaches. The artery provides a reliable fasciocutaneous blood supply for the temporoparietal fascia flap used in ear reconstruction. It contributes to the vascular supply of the SMAS layer in facelift surgery.
Transverse facial artery bleeding during superficial parotidectomy from its position traversing the parotid gland substance.
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