title: Intraosseous territory of the facial artery in the maxilla and anterior mandible: implications for allotransplantation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this anatomical study was to define the intraosseous vascular territory of the facial artery. The clinical issue is whether ipsilateral facial artery anastomosis will guarantee blood supply to the ipsi- and contralateral mandibular symphyses and maxillae in allotransplantation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Of 10 human cadaveric heads, the left facial artery was injected with a positive contrast agent. The maxillae and mandibular symphyses were investigated with cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Each ipsilateral maxilla and mandibular bone segment showed contrast medium in the intraosseous vessels. In 50% of cases, this was also the case on the contralateral side of the maxilla and anterior mandible.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The maxillae and the mandibular symphyses receive ipsilateral blood supply from the facial artery and, in 50% of cases, also from the contralateral facial artery. Internal maxillary artery anastomosis is not required for a vascularized maxillary bone flap. Additionally, involvement of the submental artery is not needed for a mandibular symphyseal bone flap.
authors: Department of Anatomy Histology and Embryology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
authors: Gyongyver
authors: G
authors: Molnar
authors: Mark
authors: M
authors: Plachtovics
authors: Gabor
authors: G
authors: Baksa
authors: Lajos
authors: L
authors: Patonay
authors: Maurice Y
authors: MY
authors: Mommaerts
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001158:Arteries / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D016025:Bone Transplantation; D002102:Cadaver; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; D005145:Face / Q000098:blood supply*; D054445:Facial Transplantation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008437:Maxilla / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous