Quick Facts
Origin: Masseter muscle.
Course: Accompanies the masseteric artery to reach the pterygoid plexus of veins in the infratemporal fossa.
Tributaries: None.
Drainage: Masseter muscle.
Related parts of the anatomy
Origin
The masseteric vein arises from the deep surface of the masseter muscle, between the muscle and the ramus of the mandible.
Course
The masseteric vein accompanies the corresponding masseteric artery (from the maxillary artery) and nerve (from the mandibular nerve). The vein ascends between the masseteric muscle and the ramus of the mandible. It passes over the mandibular notch and enters the infratemporal fossa to reach the pterygoid plexus of veins.
Tributaries
There are no named tributaries.
Structures Drained
The masseteric vein drains the masseter muscle.
Learn more about this topic from other Elsevier products
Vein
A venous sinus is a vein with a thin wall of endothelium that is devoid of smooth muscle to regulate its diameter.
