Superior Labial Artery, Anterior View

Description

Bisecting the male face in an anterior presentation, the superior labial artery is traced as a tortuous branch of the facial artery coursing medially within the upper lip, deep to the skin and superficial to the oral mucosa, closely related to the orbicularis oris. Lateral to the philtrum it approaches the oral commissure region, then arcs toward the midline where it commonly anastomoses with its contralateral counterpart and sends septal and alar branches toward the base of the nose. Surrounding landmarks include the maxilla and upper dentition, the zygomatic bone laterally, and superficial facial muscles such as the zygomaticus major and levator labii superioris in the perioral region. Small-caliber arterioles and companion veins are shown in context within the facial vascular network. For clinicians, this artery matters because it defines a predictable bleeding source during upper-lip laceration repair and a frequent culprit in post-traumatic hematoma of the labial tissues. The course along the vermilion border and its proximity to the orbicularis oris also make it a practical landmark during cleft lip repair and other perioral reconstructions where flap viability depends on preserving labial arterial inflow. It is a common target for inadvertent intra-arterial injection or bruising during dermal filler placement in the nasolabial fold and upper lip. Know its path. Educators can drop this view directly into head and neck anatomy teaching on branches of the external carotid artery, or into dental and maxillofacial modules that tie facial soft-tissue planes to hemostasis. Publishers will find it well-suited for procedure guides on facial lacerations, local anesthesia around the infraorbital region, and aesthetic injection safety where superior labial artery anatomy drives complication avoidance. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.