Unilateral high origin of facial artery associated with a variant origin of the glandular branch to the submandibular gland

Mohandas Rao KG

Abstract

The variations in the carotid arteries and their branches are common in the anterior triangle of the neck. However, variations in the origin of facial artery and its branches given in the digastric triangle are not very common. A case of high origin of facial artery and abnormal origin of the glandular branch to submandibular gland encountered during routine dissection of anterior triangle of the neck is reported. The facial artery was arising from the external carotid artery deep in the digastric triangle and the glandular branch to submandibular gland was also arising from the external carotid artery about 1 cm below the origin of facial artery in the digastric triangle. Further, the surgical, importance of the case was discussed.