title: The Anatomy of the Aging Face: A Review.
abstract: Rejuvenative procedures of the face are increasing in numbers, and a plethora of different therapeutic options are available today. Every procedure should aim for the patient's safety first and then for natural and long-lasting results. The face is one of the most complex regions in the human body and research continuously reveals new insights into the complex interplay of the different participating structures. Bone, ligaments, muscles, fat, and skin are the key players in the layered arrangement of the face.Aging occurs in all involved facial structures but the onset and the speed of age-related changes differ between each specific structure, between each individual, and between different ethnic groups. Therefore, knowledge of age-related anatomy is crucial for a physician's work when trying to restore a youthful face.This review focuses on the current understanding of the anatomy of the human face and tries to elucidate the morphological changes during aging of bone, ligaments, muscles, and fat, and their role in rejuvenative procedures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Ross University School of Medicine, Roseau, Commonwealth of Dominica, West Indies.
authors.forename: Sebastian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cotofana
authors.affiliation: Jungbrunnen-Klinik GmbH, Bonn, Germany.
authors.forename: Alina A M
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Fratila
authors.affiliation: Department of Hand Surgery, Plastic Surgery and Aesthetic Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Thilo L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Schenck
authors.affiliation: FaceSthetics, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Redka-Swoboda
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel.
authors.forename: Isaac
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Zilinsky
authors.affiliation: Private Practice in Dermatology and Aesthetics, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Tatjana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pavicic
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D000375:Aging; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005145:Face / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005147:Facial Bones / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D006801:Humans; D008022:Ligaments / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D010521:Periosteum / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D012867:Skin / Q000033:anatomy & histology