Quick Facts
Origin: Side of the face over the masseter muscle.
Course: Runs transversely across the face between the zygomatic arch and parotid duct to enter the parotid gland.
Tributaries: Parotid vein.
Drainage: Masseter muscle and parotid duct.
Related parts of the anatomy
Origin
The transverse facial vein originates from a network of branches on the side of the face over the masseter muscle.
Course
The transverse facial vein runs transversely and posteriorly across the side of the face, between the parotid duct and the lower border of the zygomatic arch and accompanied by branches of facial nerve. Inside the parotid gland, it drains into superficial temporal or retromandibular veins.
Tributaries
The transverse facial vein receives tributaries from the parotid gland and anastomoses anteriorly with the facial vein.
Structures Drained
The transverse facial vein drains venous blood from the masseter muscle and other muscles of the angle of the mandible and the parotid gland.
