Comprehensive understanding of the facial ultrasonography
Objectives: The purposes of this presentation are to introduce the ultrasonographic (US) anatomical findings of the face and to provide the reference images on each landmark of the face. Therefore, an in-depth anatomical understanding using an US imaging system can yield depth and orientation on the facial muscles, blood vessels, and fascial structures of the facial area that were previously impossible to obtain.
Introduction: Anatomically, the face is the most complicated structure of the human body. Especially, the structure of facial muscles including nerves and vessels is very variable and has the racial differences. Recently, the importance on the facial anatomy has been reconsidered as the interest on the facial aesthetics is increasing. In this reason, the aesthetic physicians should understand the facial anatomical structures prior to performing the clinical procedures.
Materials / method: The vasculature of the face is supplied by the facial and ophthalmic arteries and some branches from the external carotid system. Above the upper lip area, facial artery branches off the superior labial artery to supply to the upper lip. And there are some small branches supply to the columellar area, it is called as columellar branch. And on the way to the angular area, there are two branches with a reference of the nose ala, below the nose ala there is one branch, the inferior alar artery. Above nose ala, running about the 4mm above the alar crease, and then finally supply to tip of nose.
Results: To avoid the serious complications after the procedure, the detailed vascular anatomy of the face is essential. In this presentation, I would like to show (1) the whole running courses of the facial artery (FA) and superficial temporal artery (STA), (2) the origin and nature of the angular artery, (3) the layered location of supratrochlear and supraorbital artery at the forehead, (4) the vasculatures of the nose, and (5) the courses and distribution patterns of the labial artery around upper and lower lip.
Conclusion: Through this presentation, I would like to introduce the facial US anatomical findings based on in-depth morphological studies using an US imaging. In addition, the static and dynamic facial US imaging and the individual variations of the facial vessels related to various procedures for the safe and efficient clinical applications will be demonstrated.
