Retromandibular vein
Vena retromandibularis
- Latin synonym: Vena facialis posterior
- Synonym: Posterior facial vein
Definition
The retromandibular vein (temporomaxillary vein, posterior facial vein), formed by the union of the superficial temporal and maxillary veins, descends in the substance of the parotid gland, superficial to the external carotid artery but beneath the facial nerve, between the ramus of the mandible and the sternocleidomastoideus muscle.
At the inferior pole of the parotid gland, the retromandibular vein divides into an anterior and posterior branch:
The anterior division of retromandibular vein (anterior branch of retromandibular vein) passes forward, anteroinferior to the mandibular angle, and joins the facial vein, to form the common facial vein, which then drains into the internal jugular vein.
The posterior division of retromandibular vein (posterior branch of retromandibular vein) pierces the investing layer of deep cervical fascia, posteroinferior to the mandibular angle, and joins the posterior auricular vein just below the apex of the parotid gland, to form the external jugular vein.
