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AnatomyHead and neckFace and scalpRetromandibular vein
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AnatomyHead and neckFace and scalpRetromandibular vein

Retromandibular vein

Author: Gordana Sendić, MD • Reviewer: Jana Vasković, MD
Last reviewed: November 03, 2023
Reading time: 3 minutes

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Retromandibular vein (vena retromandibularis)

The retromandibular vein, also known as the posterior facial vein, is a deep vein of the face that is formed by the merger of the superficial temporal vein with the maxillary vein. It runs within the substance of the parotid gland, descending posterior to the ramus of the mandible.

At the inferior pole of the parotid gland, the retromandibular vein divides into an anterior and posterior branch. The anterior branch anastomoses with the facial vein and forms the common facial vein, while the posterior branch anastomoses with the posterior auricular veins, forming the external jugular vein. The retromandibular vein drains the venous blood from the jaw, the lateral skull, and the parotid gland. 

Key facts about the retromandibular vein
Drains from Confluence of superficial temporal and maxillary veins
Tributaries Facial and posterior auricular veins
Drains to Internal and external jugular vein
Drainage area Jaw, lateral skull, parotid gland, masseter muscle

This article will discuss the anatomy and function of the retromandibular vein.

Contents
  1. Anatomy and course
  2. Anatomical variations
  3. Sources
+ Show all

Anatomy and course

Anterior and posterior divisions of retromandibular vein
Divisiones anterior et posterior venae retromandibularis
1/3
Synonyms: Anterior and posterior branches of retromandibular vein, Rami anterior et posterior venae retromandibularis

The retromandibular vein arises posterior to the mandibular ramus, from the confluence of the superficial temporal and maxillary veins. Via the maxillary vein, the retromandibular vein is connected to the pterygoid venous plexus of the infratemporal fossa. The retromandibular vein runs within the substance of the parotid gland, superficial to the external carotid artery, digastric and stylohyoid muscles, and deep to the facial nerve. Along its course, the retromandibular vein drains the jaw, the lateral skull, the parotid gland and the masseter muscle. Upon reaching the inferior pole of the parotid gland, the retromandibular gland divides into an anterior and posterior branch.

  • The anterior branch joins the facial vein just anteroinferior to the mandibular angle to form the common facial vein. The common facial vein continues inferiorly to reach the upper angle of the carotid triangle, where it drains into the internal jugular vein.
  • The posterior branch pierces the investing layer of deep cervical fascia and joins the posterior auricular vein just below the apex of the parotid gland, forming the external jugular vein. This vein descends across the neck over sternocleidomastoid muscle to drain into the subclavian vein.

Anatomical variations

Relatively often, the retromandibular gland does not establish a connection with the posterior auricular vein to form the external jugular vein. In these cases, the external jugular vein is small, while the anterior jugular vein is reciprocally enlarged.

Sources

All content published on Kenhub is reviewed by medical and anatomy experts. The information we provide is grounded on academic literature and peer-reviewed research. Kenhub does not provide medical advice. You can learn more about our content creation and review standards by reading our content quality guidelines.

References:

  • Moore, K. L., Dalley, A. F., & Agur, A. M. R. (2014). Clinically Oriented Anatomy (7th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
  • Netter, F. (2019). Atlas of Human Anatomy (7th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Saunders.
  • Standring, S. (2016). Gray's Anatomy (41st ed.). Edinburgh: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone.
  • Sinnatamby, C. S., & Last, R. J. (2011). Last's anatomy: Regional and applied. (12th edition). Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.
  • Tubbs, R. S., Shoja, M. M., Loukas, M., & Bergman, R. A. (2016). Bergmans comprehensive encyclopedia of human anatomic variation. Hoboken: Wiley Blackwell.

Illustrations:

Retromandibular vein (vena retromandibularis) - Begoña Rodriguez

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