Three-dimensional visualization of blood supply of the upper lip using micro-CT and implications for plastic surgery

The anatomy of the arterial branches in the upper lip and their relationships to soft tissue are not well described in the literature. The purpose of this study was to explore a method for visualizing the microvessels and soft tissue three-dimensionally to gain better understanding of the upper lip blood supply.

Seventeen stillborn fetuses were injected with lead oxide-gelatin and stained with iodine. Thirty-four half upper lip specimens were obtained and scanned by micro-computed tomography. The images were then examined and Inveon analysis software was used for three-dimensional reconstructions.

The main supplies to the upper lip were from the superior labial and inferior alar arteries. In some cases, the infraorbital and lateral nasal arteries also branched off to the upper lip. The anatomical variations were classified into six types on the basis of the observed vascular composition patterns. The skin was supplied by the subcutaneous vascular network, formed by the superficial ascending branches of the superior labial and inferior alar arteries. The mucosa was supplied by the submucosal vascular network, formed by the deep ascending branches of the superior labial artery and the labial branches of the infraorbital artery. The muscles were supplied by small vertical branches from the subcutaneous and submucosal vascular networks.

This study provides new anatomical insight into the upper lip by describing the microvessels and the relationship between the arteries and the soft tissue involved. This is important information for clinical applications in upper lip plastic surgery.