Inferior labial artery: course and care in the lip
- Artery
Quick facts
- Origin
- Branch of the facial artery, usually near or below the corner of the mouth.
- Course
- Runs through the lower lip in a winding path, usually between the orbicularis oris muscle and the mucosa, and joins the one from the opposite side.
- Connections
- Communicates with branches of the mental artery and with the labiomental artery, when present.
- Relevance in facial harmonization
- Main artery of the lower lip; occlusion can cause necrosis of the lip and of the area above the chin.
- In Harmy
- Lies under the Lips point and near the Mouth Corner point.
The inferior labial artery is the branch of the facial artery that supplies the lower lip. It usually arises near or slightly below the corner of the mouth, runs in a winding path through the lip and joins the artery of the opposite side at the midline. Together with the superior labial artery, it forms the arterial ring that surrounds the mouth.
What is the course of the inferior labial artery?
After leaving the facial artery, it runs toward the center of the lip, usually between the orbicularis oris muscle and the mucosa, closer to the inner surface of the lip than to the skin. This pattern is for anatomical review, not a depth rule: the course can be more superficial in stretches, and the height varies between people and between sides.
Below the lip, the area also receives the labiomental artery (horizontal), present in some people, and branches of the mental artery, which exits through the mental foramen. These communications explain why a complication in the lower lip can extend to the skin between the lip and the chin.
Which anatomical variations matter?
| Variation | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Origin in a common trunk with the superior labial | Changes the exit point near the corner of the mouth |
| Thin or absent artery on one side | The opposite side and the chin arteries supply the region |
| Lower origin, below the corner of the mouth | Places the vessel near the area treated at the mouth corner |
| Large labiomental artery | Expands the area supplied below the lip |
Because of this variation, no fixed rule of depth or entry point is safe for everyone. Technique, plane and the choice between cannula and needle are the decision of the licensed professional, in line with the rules of their professional council.
Why does it matter in facial harmonization?
The lower lip is treated in lip filler, and the region where the artery originates is close to the area of mouth corner filler. In both cases, vascular occlusion can occur through injection into the vessel or through compression caused by excess volume.
Since anesthetic can reduce pain, watching the color of the lip and the skin below it during and after the injection is part of the routine. See the overview of safety and complications and the page on hyaluronidase in the office.
How does it show up in the assessment?
In the medical history, record previous fillers in the lip and chin, scars, recurrent cold sores and medications that increase bleeding. The proportion between the lips also guides the plan: the lower lip is generally slightly fuller than the upper, and treating only the lower can invert that relationship.
Also called: inferior labial branch of the facial artery.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the superior and inferior labial arteries?
Both are branches of the facial artery and form a ring around the mouth. The superior supplies the upper lip and sends branches to the nose; the inferior supplies the lower lip and communicates with the chin arteries.
Can necrosis in the lower lip be treated?
When the cause is occlusion by hyaluronic acid, the usual management includes hyaluronidase given as soon as possible, at the discretion of the licensed professional. Recognizing the signs early makes a difference in the outcome.