Transverse facial artery

Looks like

A branch of the superficial temporal artery running forward across the cheek just below the cheekbone, above the parotid duct.

What it does

Supplies the parotid gland, its duct, the chewing muscle and cheek skin.

Keeping it well

Can be cut in facial injuries or facelift surgery; bleeds but rarely serious.

Related conditions

• Carotid artery stenosis
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Hypothermia & frostbite
• Kawasaki disease
• Metabolic syndrome
• Orthostatic hypotension & POTS
• Peripheral artery disease
• Phaeochromocytoma & hyperaldosteronism
• Pre-eclampsia
• Raynaud's phenomenon
• Sepsis
• Shock (circulatory failure)
• Takayasu arteritis
• Vasculitis (GCA & others)