Accurate course and relationships of the transverse facial artery in human cadavers

Both the course and localization of the transverse facial artery are described, based upon the bilateral dissection of heads from 20 human cadavers. Its anatomical relationships with the mandibular fossa, the articular tubercle, the zygomatic arch, the parotid duct and the maxillary artery are studied and morphometric features are calculated. Furthermore, the transverse facial territory was examined. This territory was supplied by a single perforating branch in 28 cases, by two perforating branches in 10 and by three perforating branches in 2. Knowledge of the course and relationships of the transverse facial artery should help to protect this artery from the risk for transection. However, the variable course of the transverse facial artery must always be taken into consideration by the clinicians during surgical procedures.