[Vascularization of the adipose body of the cheek]

The vascular pedicles of Bichat's fat pad are numerous. The most important artery is the buccal artery, branch of the maxillary artery, which supplies the principal part and the six extensions of the buccal fat pad. Not only many other branches of the maxillary artery, but also branches of the facial artery and of the superficial temporal artery send thin vessels to cross the capsule and supply Bichat's fat pad, body and extensions, from periphery to center. The microcirculation of Bichat's fat pad shows a network almost similar with those of the other zones of white adipose tissue, but the capillary meshes are smaller and more tightened, the capillaries have a bigger diameter and several "basket-like" structures are to be find beneath the capsule.