THE EXTERNAL CAROTID ARTERY 597 



The inferior labial coronary (Figs. 441 and 442) is derived from the facial artery, 

 near the angle of the mouth; it passes upward and inward beneath the Depressor 

 anguli oris, and, penetrating the Orbicularis oris muscle, runs in a tortuous course 

 alono* the ed<re of the lower lip between this muscle and the mucous membrane, 

 anastomoses with the artery of the opposite side. This artery supplies the labial 

 glands, the mucous membrane, and muscles of the lower lip, and anastomoses 

 with the inferior labial from the facial and the mental branch of the inferior 

 dental artery. 



The superior labial coronary (a. labialis superior] (Figs. 441 and 442) is larger and 

 more tortuous in its course than the preceding. It follows the same course along 

 the edge of the upper lip, lying between the mucous membrane and the Orbicu- 

 laris oris, and anastomoses with the artery of the opposite side. It supplies the 

 tissues of the upper lip, and gives off in its course two or three vessels which ascend 

 to the nose. One, named the inferior artery of the septum, ramifies on the septum 

 of the nostrils as far as the point of the nose; another, the artery of the ala, supplies 

 the ala of the nose. 



The lateralis nasi is derived from the facial, as that vessel is ascending along 

 the side bf the nose; it supplies the ala and dorsum of the nose, anastomosing with 

 its fellow, the nasal branch of the ophthalmic, the inferior artery of the septum, 

 the artery of the ala, and the infraorbital. 



FIG. 442. The labial coronary arteries, the glands of the lips, and the nerves of the right side seen from the 

 posterior surface after removal of the mucous membrane. (Poirier and Charpy.) 



The angular artery (a. angularis) is the termination of the trunk of the facial; 

 it ascends to the inner angle of the orbit, embedded in the fibres of the Levator 

 labii superioris alaeque nasi, and accompanied by a large vein, the angular vein; 

 it distributes some branches on the cheek which anastomose with the infraorbital. 

 After supplying the lacrimal sac and Orbicularis palpebrarum muscle, the angular 

 artery terminates by anastomosing with the nasal branch of the ophthalmic artery. 



The muscular branches are distributed to the Internal pterygoid and Stylohyoid 

 in the neck, and to the Masseter and Buccinator on the face. 



The anastomoses of the facial artery are very numerous, not only with the 

 vessel of the opposite side, but, in the neck, with the sublingual branch of the lingual ; 

 with the ascending pharyngeal; and with the posterior palatine, a branch of the 

 internal maxillary, by its ascending palatine and tonsillar branches; on the face, 

 with the mental branch of the inferior dental as it emerges from the mental foramen, 

 with the transverse facial, a branch of the temporal; with the infraorbital, a branch 

 of the internal maxillary, and with the nasal branch of the ophthalmic. 



Peculiarities. The facial artery not infrequently arises by a common trunk with the lingual. 

 This vessel is also subject to some variations in its size and in the extent to which it supplies 

 the face. It occasionally terminates as the submental, and not infrequently supplies the face 



