Anterior division of retromandibular vein

At a glance

English

Anterior division of retromandibular vein

Latin (TA2)

Divisio anterior venae mandibularis

System

Vein

Region

Head

Side

Paired, left and right

About the anterior division of retromandibular vein

The retromandibular vein forms within the parotid gland, just forward of the ear, where the superficial temporal and maxillary veins meet. It then runs down through the gland behind the ramus of the mandible, lying deep to the branches of the facial nerve, with the external carotid artery deeper still, with sternocleidomastoid behind it. Near the lower pole of the gland, around the angle of the jaw, it splits into two divisions, and this page shows the anterior one.

The anterior division turns forwards and slightly downwards beneath the angle of the mandible. Below the jaw it meets the facial vein, which has come down across the face from the inner corner of the eye. The two unite to make the common facial vein, a short trunk that crosses the carotid triangle and empties into the internal jugular vein, usually near the level of the hyoid bone.

Because of this division, blood from the temple, the scalp ahead of the ear and the deep region of the infratemporal fossa can reach the internal jugular vein directly, while the posterior division carries the rest towards the external jugular vein. The balance between the two varies; the anterior division can be large, small or missing, and in some people the facial vein joins the internal jugular on its own.

The division is a useful landmark in surgery on the parotid gland and the upper neck. It lies close to the marginal mandibular and cervical branches of the facial nerve as they leave the lower end of the gland, so surgeons often identify it, and sometimes tie it, while protecting those nerve branches. It is also met when the submandibular gland is removed, since the common facial vein crosses over that gland.

Course and drainage

Begins at

Arises from the retromandibular vein within the lower part of the parotid gland, near the angle of the mandible.

Drains into

Meets the facial vein below the mandible; together they make the common facial vein, draining into the internal jugular vein.

Drains

Carries part of the blood of the temporal region, the pre-auricular scalp and the infratemporal fossa towards the internal jugular vein.