Angular Artery, Lateral View

Description

Seen in lateral profile, the angular artery ascends along the lateral aspect of the nose toward the medial canthus, where it continues as the terminal facial artery and anastomoses with the dorsal nasal branch of the ophthalmic artery. Along its course, the vessel lies anterior to the maxilla and nasal bones, running superficial to the facial musculature near the nasolabial sulcus and adjacent to the angular vein. Bony landmarks of the viscerocranium and neurocranium are rendered in side view, with the mandible, maxilla, dentition, zygomatic bone, and nasal skeleton providing orientation. Small accompanying arterioles and venous tributaries are mapped over the facial skeleton. This lateral depiction matters because the angular artery marks a high-risk zone for bleeding and intravascular injection during periorbital and nasolabial filler procedures, given its variable caliber and its connection to the ophthalmic circulation. Retrograde flow through the angular to dorsal nasal system is a recognized mechanism for retinal artery occlusion and sudden vision loss after cosmetic injections near the nasal sidewall. It is also a practical landmark in facial lacerations and in planning local flaps near the medial canthus, where vessel preservation can determine flap survival. Use this artwork in head and neck anatomy teaching to correlate facial vascularization with palpable surface landmarks, or in surgical, dermatologic, and aesthetic medicine references that discuss safe injection planes and danger areas around the nose and medial orbit. It also supports illustration plates for maxillofacial trauma and oculoplastic approaches where the angular vessels complicate exposure and hemostasis. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.