Retromandibular vein
Major face vein
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The retromandibular vein (temporomaxillary vein, posterior facial vein) is a major vein of the face. It is formed within the parotid gland by the confluence of the maxillary vein, and superficial temporal vein. It descends in the gland and splits into two branches upon emerging from the gland. Its anterior branch then joins the (anterior) facial vein forming the common facial vein, while its posterior branch joins the posterior auricular vein forming the external jugular vein.
vena facialis posterior
| Retromandibular vein | |
|---|---|
Veins of the head and neck (retromandibular vein visible at center). | |
 Dissection, showing salivary glands of right side (retromandibular vein visible at bottom center). | |
| Details | |
| Source | Superficial temporal vein, maxillary veins |
| Drains to | External jugular vein |
| Artery | Facial artery |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | vena retromandibularis, vena facialis posterior |
| TA98 | A12.3.05.031 |
| TA2 | 4831 |
| FMA | 50928 |
| Anatomical terminology | |
Anatomy
Origin
The retromandibular vein is formed within the parotid gland[1] by the confluence of the maxillary vein, and superficial temporal vein.[1][2][3]
Course
It descends inside parotid gland,[1][4] superficial to the external carotid artery (but beneath the facial nerve),[4] between the sternocleidomastoideus muscle and ramus of mandible.[citation needed] It emerges from the parotid gland inferiorly, then immediately divides into two branches:[1]
- an anterior branch which passes anterior-ward to unite with the (anterior) facial vein forming the common facial vein (which then empties into the internal jugular vein).[5]
- a posterior branch which penetrates the investing layer of the deep cervical fascia before[1] uniting with the posterior auricular vein forming the external jugular vein.[5][6]
Function
Clinical significance
Parrot's sign is a sensation of pain when pressure is applied to the retromandibular region.[citation needed]
Additional images
Lateral head anatomy detail
