The face is one of the most vascularized areas of the body, and the lips are no exception. Lips perform a huge number of functions, in addition to aesthetic. The functionality of the lips depends on many muscles working simultaneously to perform each movement. And this is possible only with adequate blood supply and innervation.
Whenperfusionof the lips is adequate, they retain their red or pink color, with ischemiathey turn pale and then blue. This is the main sign of impaired blood supply to the lips during filler injection. To avoid getting the filler into the vessels supplying the lips, the doctor needs to conduct aspiration test and, of course, perfect knowledge of the anatomy of this zone. In this article on estet-portal.com we will consider all the features of the location of blood vessels and nerves in the lips.
- Vascular anatomy of the lips: which arteries supply blood to our lips
- Innervation and lymphatic drainage of the lips
- The role of anatomy in contouring lipoplasty Vascular anatomy of the lips: which arteries supply blood to our lips
The lips receive most of their blood from the
labial arteries.
Due to the various branches, the labial arteries can effectively supply the lips with blood. In addition to providing blood supply to the lips, the labial arteries provide an adequate blood supply for breathing, eating, and facial expressions.
The labial arteries are direct branches from the
facial arteries
.
The blood supply of the upper lip
from the facial artery occurs in 97.3% of cases, from the artery extending from the transverse artery of the face,— in 1.8% and from both at the same time — at 0.9%.
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Topographic anatomy of the face: the ABC of injection cosmetology
The blood supply of the lower lip
is carried out from the facial artery in 95.5% of cases, from the median artery of the chin — in 0.8% and from both — at 3.6%. The labial arteries branch from the facial artery in the area where the border of the vermillion of the upper lip meets the border of the vermillion of the lower lip.
- The superior labial artery
- crosses the mucosa and the superior part of the orbicularis oris muscle. Once the superior labial artery reaches the
filtrum
, it gives off the columellar artery. The columellar artery ascends the filtrum column to nasal septum. In the anterior part of the nasal septum, the columellar and septal arteries become part of the
plexus
Kiesselbach.
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- The inferior labial artery
- crosses the mucosa and the inferior part of the orbicularis oris muscle. As the labial arteries cross the lips, they anastomose with the labial arteries on the contralateral side. The anastomosis forms collateral blood flow for the lips and underlying muscles. Usually, the arteries of the right and left sides
merge
in the midline and form a solid ring. However, in some cases, the blood supply to the lips can be one-sided. Lip lymphatic drainage and innervation
The trigeminal nerve
is responsible for the sensitivity of the lips. This nerve also innervates the masticatory muscles. However, the innervation of the orbicular muscle of the mouth, which is responsible for speech and food retention, is provided by the facial nerve.
The facial nerve
also innervates the muscles attached to or close to the lips, which are responsible for the mimic activity of the lips:
Elevator lip, levator lip and wing of the nose, levator corner of the mouth, zygomaticus minor and zygomaticus major – muscles involved during
- laughter
- . Lower lip depressor and corner depressor – muscles responsible for expressing sadness.
The lymphatic drainage system of the lips
is divided into two sections: upper and lower lips.
The upper lip drains into the mandibular, infraparotid, and preauricular lymph nodes;
- While from the lower lip the lymph fluid drains into the submental and submandibular lymph nodes. Lymph from these lymph nodes eventually drains into the
thoracic duct
on the left side or the right lymphatic duct on the right side. The role of anatomy in lip contouring
Lip correction with
fillers
requires a clear understanding of location of nerves and blood vessels in lip area. Because the labial arteries are deep enough, fillers can be injected superficially without damaging the underlying arteries. It is also important to remember the location of the facial artery during the correction of the perioral region.
Read also:
Gender differences: facial anatomy for a beautician
There are many
lip enhancement techniques
, but it is always important to remember safety. Lip correction with cannula reduces the risk of vascular injury, therefore it is ideal for young professionals. Proper injection technique and knowledge of anatomy allows making lip contouring as safe as possible.
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