Superior labial artery
Arteria labialis superior
A branch of the facial artery that runs along the upper lip, between orbicularis oris and the lining, and sends branches to the nose.
At a glance
- English
- Superior labial artery
- Latin (TA2)
- Arteria labialis superior
- System
- Artery
- Region
- Head
- Side
- Paired, left and right
About the superior labial artery
The superior labial artery arises from the facial artery near the corner of the mouth, as the facial artery climbs obliquely across the face towards the nose. It is larger and more tortuous than the inferior labial artery, which it otherwise resembles.
Running medially near the margin of the upper lip, it lies deep to orbicularis oris, the ring of muscle around the mouth, just outside the inner lining. It can be felt pulsating if the lip is held between finger and thumb. At the midline it anastomoses end to end with its partner from the other side, so that the two superior labial arteries form a continuous arch around the upper lip; together with the inferior labial arteries they make a ring round the opening of the mouth.
As it runs it supplies the upper lip, including the skin, muscle, glands and lining. It also gives off two or three small vessels that climb to the nose. Of these, a septal branch runs up on the nasal septum and spreads forward as far as the tip, contributing to the vascular meeting point on the front of the septum, while an alar branch goes to the wing of the nose.
Its septal branch is one of the arteries that feed Little's area, where most nosebleeds begin. The position of the artery in the lip is important in cosmetic lip injections, since filler placed into the vessel can block it and damage the overlying tissue. Cuts through the lip bleed briskly because of the arch; pressing the lip on both sides of the wound controls it. The artery is also used to pedicle lip flaps, such as the Abbe flap, in reconstructing the opposite lip.
Course and supply
- Arises from
- The facial artery near the angle of the mouth.
- Ends in
- Joins the superior labial artery of the opposite side in the midline of the upper lip, and sends septal and alar branches to the nose.
- Supplies
- Supplies the upper lip, the front of the nasal septum and the ala of the nose.
Anthromica
See the superior labial artery where it really sits, with every layer of the body around it.
- Every layer, one body. Peel from muscle to bone, nerve, vessel and organ, and turn it any way.
- English and Latin. Every structure named the way your exam names it.
- Quiz until it sticks. Short drills on the structures you keep missing.
Free to start. No card.
