Anatomical Structure and Location of the Superior Labial Artery

Description

Shown in right lateral profile, the superior labial artery is traced as a branch of the facial artery as it curves anteriorly across the maxilla, running deep to the upper lip musculature and approaching the philtrum to anastomose with the contralateral vessel near the midline. The facial artery’s tortuous course is appreciable as it ascends from the inferior border of the mandible toward the oral commissure, with adjacent facial veins rendered in blue to clarify arterial and venous relationships. Bony landmarks of the viscerocranium, including the maxilla and the alveolar processes with intact dentition, provide fixed reference points for the vessel’s position relative to the nasal aperture and oral vestibule. For clinicians, the superior labial artery matters because it is the dominant arterial supply to the upper lip and a common source of brisk bleeding during laceration repair, cleft lip surgery, and perioral aesthetic procedures. Its anastomosis across the midline explains why unilateral facial artery compromise may not fully devascularize the upper lip, but it also underlies rapid spread of injected filler or infection across the philtrum region. Short distance, high consequence. Teaching and publishing use cases include head and neck anatomy modules on branches of the external carotid artery, operative anatomy for oral and maxillofacial surgery, and procedural guidance in dermatology and plastic surgery for safe planes of injection around the upper lip and nasolabial fold. It also supports patient-facing education on facial wound management and hemostasis when paired with surface landmarks. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.