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Review
. 2020 Sep 18;12(9):e10538.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.10538.

The Premasseteric Branch of the Facial Artery: A Review and Translation of Adachi's Work

Stephen J Bordes  1 , Sina Zarrintan  2 , Joe Iwanaga  3 , Marios Loukas  1 , R Shane Tubbs  3
Affiliations
Review

The Premasseteric Branch of the Facial Artery: A Review and Translation of Adachi's Work

Stephen J Bordes et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

The premasseteric branch of the facial artery is a variable posterior branch that is closely associated with the anterior border of the masseter muscle. Since its first description, the premasseteric branch has been described using different terms such as the masseteric or posterior branch of the facial artery. While the artery's anatomy is known, it is infrequently discussed in the literature. This manuscript reviews the artery's origin, course, and importance during maxillofacial procedures, especially those involving manipulation of the masseter. We also provide a translation of Adachi's 1928 German text describing the branch.

Keywords: anatomist; anatomy; facial artery; maxillofacial surgery; premasseteric branch.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. A strongly developed ramus premassetericus that accompanies the anterior facial vein in a 23-year-old male
Adapted from Adachi B's Anatomie der Japaner 1: Das Arteriensystem der Japaner. Kyoto; 1928, with modification [5]
Figure 2
Figure 2. The ramus premassetericus is strongly developed in the lower half of the face and the actual maxillary artery is missing in a 19-year-old male
Adapted from Adachi B's Anatomie der Japaner 1: Das Arteriensystem der Japaner. Kyoto; 1928, with modification [5]
Figure 3
Figure 3. Left premasseteric branch (dotted arrow) of the facial artery (solid arrow) in a Caucasian cadaveric specimen
EN: external nose; M: mandible; MM: masseter muscle
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Buntaro Adachi (1865-1945): Japanese master of human anatomic variation. Watanabe K, Shoja MM, Loukas M, Tubbs RS. Clin Anat. 2012;25:957–960. - PubMed
    1. The evolution of the study of anatomy in Japan. Tubbs RS, Loukas M, Kato D, Ardalan MR, Shoja MM, Gadol AA. Clin Anat. 2009;22:425–435. - PubMed
    1. Adachi B. Kyoto. Kyoto, Japan: Kyoto University Press; 1933. Das Venensystem der Japaner.
    1. Adachi B. Kyoto. Kyoto, Japan: Kyoto University Press; 1940. Das Venensystem der Japaner.
    1. Adachi B. Kyoto. Kyoto, Japan: Kyoto University Press; 1928. Das Arteriensystem der Japaner.

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